Johann Muller, Coenie Oosthuizen and CJ Van der Linde may join Springboks in Tri-Nations
Following the Springboks training and assessment camp on Tuesday, July 16, South African Rugby Union (SARU), has expressed their hope that the Lock Johann Muller and prop Coenie Oosthuizen will leave alongside the rest of their squad for the away leg matches
of the 2011 Tri-Nations tournament.
The squad will leave on Friday, July 15 as Springboks coach Peter de Villiers confirmed the inclusion of the players, while talking to reporters after their Tuesday training session.
On Saturday, July 9, de Villiers announced the inclusion of Gerhard Mostert and prop CJ Van der Linde in the squad after injuries to Johann Muller, and Coenie Oosthuizen. CJ Van der Linde, who was struggling with a groin injury, was instructed to report
to camp on Monday, July 11 for his medical assessment.
Providing details on Van der Linde, Peter said, “CJ has surprised me, He came through yesterday morning’s fitness session very well and has trained again today so he is looking good.” When asked about the Van der Linde’s inclusion in the squad, Peter replied,
“He’ll train again tomorrow and then we’ll make a decision.”
Lock Johann Muller and prop Coenie Oosthuizen who are struggling with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively didn’t participate in the training session on Tuesday. Providing updates on both players, De Villiers said, “Coenie is still nursing his ankle,
he was tested this morning and came through and he’ll be OK. Johann should be fine – we’re just being cautious with injuries.”
De Villiers hinted that irrespective of the fact that they are not participating in the training sessions, both Muller and Oosthuizen might be cleared to join the rest of the squad for the 2011 Tri Nations away leg matches.
Additionally, Peter de Villiers confirmed that he will not take a risk with his flanker Heinrich Brüssow and will not force him to make a premature return from his injury. However, De Villiers admitted that he is being overly cautious concerning Brüssow’s
injury even though Brüssow sat out from Tuesday’s training session.
De Villiers further added, “He (Brüssow) is a valuable player and we can’t let him rest enough. I’m hopeful he can play but I won’t push him because he is one of those players that you build a team around.”
South Africa will play their two away leg matches of the 2011 Tri Nations tournament against Australia and New Zealand on July 23 and July 30.
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