Springboks’ call CJ Van der Linde for fitness test as three more player get on injured list - Rugby
Springboks’ head coach, Peter de Villiers, has announced injuries to three more of his players ahead of their 2011 Tri Nations campaign. Earlier, Boks ruled out the participation of 21 players from their 2011 Rugby World Cup training and preparations camp
and for their 2011 Tri Nations away leg matches.
Peter de Villiers confirmed the injuries to Johann Muller, Pierre Spies, and Coenie Oosthuizen while talking to the reporters on Friday, July 8 at Florida Park on Cape Flats.
Additionally, de Villiers confirmed that he has included the Stormers prop CJ Van der Linde in the training camp to assess his fitness. Earlier, Van der Linde sustained a groin injury and his inclusion in the squad for their upcoming Australasian tour during
the 2011 Tri Nations is conditional to his fitness. He said, “The tour squad should include 28 players, but we've sent for CJ Van der Linde to join the training group and then we'll assess him.”
The injuries have forced de Villiers to name a relatively young side for the Tri Nations tournament. The squad announced on Friday, July 8, includes six uncapped players to compete against the Wallabies and All Blacks on their home turfs.
The six uncapped players named in the Springboks squad include Ashley Johnson (Free State Cheetahs), Coenie Oosthuizen (Free State Cheetahs), Werner Kruger (Blue Bulls), Charl McLeod (Sharks), Elton Jantjies (Golden Lions) and Dean Greyling (Blue Bulls).
Providing details regarding the omission of the experienced Pierre Spies from the squad, de Villiers confirmed that Spies is also nursing an injury. He said, “Spies has been on holiday and we've learnt that he has a groin injury.”
Peter de Villiers confirmed that Zane Kirchner is also suffering from a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, the respective national rugby unions of Australia and New Zealand have expressed their concerns at the announcement of the second string squad by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) for the 2011 Tri Nations. They have alleged that SARU is intentionally
naming a second string squad to rest their first choice players for 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign.
SARU utilized a similar strategy during their 2007 RWC campaign in which they eventually lifted the rugby crown for the second time in their history.
SARU Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jurie Roux has jumped into the discussion and and said players have been omitted genuinely because of their injuries.
Commenting on the demand of Australian Rugby Union CEO’s request for South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR) to conduct an inquiry into the matter, Roux replied, “Australia have asked for an enquiry, an enquiry has been done by SANZAR and
we have given our reply. As the media reports show, SANZAR is happy with the result, and in the words of Greg Peters, it has been dealt with.”
The Tri Nations tournament kick starts on July 23rd with all three teams looking to get a good showing before the Rugby World Cup 2011.
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