FILE - France's prop Reda Wardi runs into the tackle of Springbok prop Frans Malherbe during last year’s Rugby World Cup. Malherbe will miss South Africa’s November tour with an ankle injury FILE - France's prop Reda Wardi runs into the tackle of Springbok prop Frans Malherbe during last year’s Rugby World Cup. Malherbe will miss South Africa’s November tour with an ankle injury. Picture: Emmanuel Dunand / AFP
The Springboks have yet to decide whether or not they will replace in the injured Frans Malherbe in the squad for their November tour of the United Kingdom.
The Boks arrived in Jersey, a Channel Island located between France and England, without the tighthead prop, who picked up an injury while playing for the Stormers against Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
It’s a another blow for the Boks, who had already lost utility back Damian Willemse and utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels for the trip. Bulls No 8 Cameron Hannekom was called up for Willemse, while tighthead prop Wilco Louw back is the Bok fold after a three-year absence.
However, coach Rassie Erasmus hasn’t made a decision yet as to who will replace Malherbe. Some of candidates include versatile veteran Trevor Nyakane and Stormers tighthead Neethling Fouche.
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Meanwhile, the Springboks will have a week-long training camp in Jersey before departing for Scotland for their opening Test of the November internationals. The Boks face the Scots in Edinburgh on Sunday, November 10, England in London (November 16) and Wales in Cardiff (November 23).
Andy Edwards, the Springboks’ head of athletic performance, believes Jersey was the perfect destination to get the team’s preparations going ahead of what is set to be a tough tour against three fresh opponents.
“It’s our first time together after the Rugby Championship, and with the players doing different things over the last few weeks, it’s good to get back together and regroup,” said Edwards.
“The Vodacom URC players had a combination of down time with others playing, and the UK and European-based players are also back from their clubs, while the Japanese players were on a break.
“The main thing is to get back into the swing of things in terms of what the coaches want to do planning wise, and tightening things up again before the November internationals.
“With us being in Jersey, which is close to the UK, it will certainly make the transition easier for the players ahead of the November tour.”
Edwards says preparing in Jersey will allow the players to work hard, while enjoying the scenic and tranquil surroundings, which will give them some much-needed balance during their preparations.
“Jersey has everything we need, and it’s close to the UK, especially with us heading to Scotland next, so there won’t be concerns around long-haul travel going into the first Test, which is a big positive.
“It’s also a small island and gives us an opportunity to experience something different.
“I don’t think anyone in this group has been to Jersey before, and over and above that, they have world class facilities that are only a few years old, which ticks all the boxes for our high-performance needs with a great gym and fields.
“The L’Horizon Hotel (where the Boks are based) looks out onto the ocean, so from a team perspective we can push hard in terms of rugby intensity, while also achieving the balance of down time and social cohesion before the Tests.”
The players had Monday off to rest and recover from the journey to Jersey, with the squad set to begin their on-field preparations on Tuesday.
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