The Springboks are preparing to depart for their end-of-year tour, beginning with a match against Japan next weekend. However, the latest round of the United Rugby Championship may have delivered a significant blow to the squad....Click to Read More >>➤

Following the Stormers’ clash against Benetton in Treviso, coach John Dobson disclosed that utility back Damian Willemse sustained a potentially serious injury. This development casts a shadow over the Springboks’ preparations, introducing immediate uncertainty into their backline plans.

Dobson indicated the injury is likely a hamstring issue. “Damian Willemse has probably got a pulled hamstring,” he stated after the match on Saturday. He praised Willemse’s commitment, noting, “The fact that he didn’t want to come off and kept playing for the Stormers was very special.” Despite this dedication, the injury potentially jeopardizes his participation in the upcoming Springboks tour.

Fullback Emerges as a Position of Concern

The timing of this injury is particularly troubling for the Springboks. The fullback position was already a concern due to an injury to Aphelele Fassi. In the original touring squad, Willemse was the only recognized and experienced fullback named. His potential absence creates a significant gap in the team’s defensive and offensive structures at the back.

If Willemse is ruled out, the Springboks’ coaching staff will be forced to consider their options carefully. One likely scenario is a recall for the veteran Willie le Roux, whose extensive experience could provide stability. The only other alternatives within the current squad would involve repositioning players like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu or Edwill van der Merwe to cover the fullback role, a move that carries inherent risk at the international level.

Springboks Face Forced Squad Adjustment

This injury means the Springboks will almost certainly need to add a player to their touring squad to provide cover. The management must now decide whether to call upon a standby player or look outside the original selections to address this sudden need in the backline.

The current Springboks touring squad is as follows:

Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (D ...Click to Read More >>➤