Erasmus reveals latest on injured Etzebeth

Eben Etzebeth picked up a foot injury two minutes into the second half of South Africa’s 12-11 defeat to England on Saturday.

The initial prognosis wasn’t good with head coach Rassie Erasmus stating in the post-match press conference that the second row was “out definitely for next week and maybe the tour”, adding “the way he is walking doesn’t look great… and will be a while before he is playing again.”

But now Erasmus says there is a good chance that Etzebeth will be considered for Saturday’s Test against France.

“The injury is not as bad as we initially thought and we will give Eben time until Tuesday to prove his fitness,” he Erasmus.

Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw and Vincent Koch have joined the Springbok squad in Paris and are all available for selection.

De Klerk (scrumhalf) linked up with the South African squad on Monday after Le Roux (fullback), Louw (flank), Koch (prop), Mostert (lock) and Kolbe (utility back) met up with their team mates on Sunday evening in French capital.

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The nippy scrumhalf and the other European-based Springboks were not considered for the past weekend’s match against England at Twickenham because that match fell outside the official international window.

De Klerk (20 Test caps) was last week named as a 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, alongside Bok team mate Malcolm Marx (hooker).

“It’s good to welcome Faf, Willie, Cheslin and the others back into the squad,” said Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby.

“They bring along some valuable experience and knowledge of the European conditions and we are looking forward to working with them again. All of them will be available for selection for this weekend.”

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