Coenie Oosthuizen will miss the series – Rugby News Update
Coenie Oosthuizen, the 23-year-old South African prop, has been ruled out of the rest of the series due to a bulging disc, and is expected to be out for three months.
England is touring South Africa to play a three-match test series against the Springboks, along with playing two other midweek games, under the mentorship of Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England.
It is unfortunate for Oosthuizen, who had made his international debut against England last Saturday, June 9, coming on as a substitute for 22 minutes. Heyneke Meyer, the head coach of the Springboks felt sympathy for the player who had impressed on his
debut, and would have played further matches in the series.
He said, "Coenie has brought a lot of energy to our team and he played a major part in our victory in the first Test...”
Speaking about the injury, Meyer said, "The player's welfare comes first and we decided that it would be best for Coenie to get some proper rest and rehabilitation now. Hopefully he'll be back to full fitness soon. He definitely has a role to play in future."
Dean Greyling has been called up into the squad as a replacement and will take the place of the injured prop. Speaking about his call up he said, "Dean brings experience to the squad and, like Coenie, he is a loosehead that can play tighthead if needed.
He now has an opportunity to show what he can do and he needs to grab it."
South Africa also has another injury to worry about, as Zane Kirchne was also ruled out after sustaining an injury during the victory in the first test. However, the news on him is better. He is definitely out of the second test with further tests expected
on his knee next week to determine if he can play any part in the series.
South Africa go to Johannesburg with a 1-0 lead in the series, and England will want to square the series before they play the third and final test.
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