Rassie Erasmus confirms six Springboks will miss fourth All Blacks Test
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Grounded.
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that six Springboks will not travel to the United States ahead of the fourth and final Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore.
Cheslin Kolbe headlines the list after suffering a broken jaw during Saturday’s 29-24 victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium.
The Springbok star was forced from the field after just nine minutes and will now play no part in the series finale.
“Cheslin broke his jaw,” Erasmus confirmed after the match.
Props Carlu Sadie, Boan Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu will also remain in South Africa, along with utility forwards Cobus Wiese and Ben-Jason Dixon.
Dixon continues to experience concussion symptoms.
There is better news elsewhere in the squad, with several players returning to fitness ahead of Baltimore.
“Damian Willemse will be ready for next week, so will Aphelele Fassi,” Erasmus said.
“With Cheslin staying home, Herschel is flying with us. Canan Moodie is now getting fit too, and Grant will cover the wing too.”
Herschel Jantjies will therefore join the travelling group, while Grant Williams’ versatility provides Erasmus with another option out wide following the loss of Kolbe.
Willemse, Williams and Moodie are all fit to travel after dealing with injury issues in recent weeks.
The Springboks will head to Baltimore with a 2-1 lead in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry after making it back-to-back victories over the All Blacks. South Africa followed up their 33-26 win in Cape Town with a 29-24 victory in Soweto, meaning they can no longer lose the four-Test series.
However, the All Blacks can still secure a share of the series with victory in the United States.
New Zealand are dealing with significant injury problems of their own, with Ardie Savea, Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson all ruled out of the Baltimore Test.
The fourth and final Test takes place at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, September 12.
