The Springboks find themselves in a major crisis at lock after assistant coach Deon Davids on Monday confirmed that neither Salmaan Moerat, who captained the team against Australia in Perth, nor RG Snyman was available for Saturday’s opening test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
To make matters worse, frontline lock Eben Etzebeth is also a doubtful starter and could be ruled out of the test match sooner rather than later. Given the team’s set protocol that a player not available on Monday is ruled out automatically from the Saturday’s test match, Etzebeth looks very doubtful to be named in the team on Tuesday when it is traditionally announced.
The Boks are already short of locks after Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Jean Kleyn have all been ruled out with injury. Despite calling up Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg from Montpellier, they now only have two frontline locks fit and available, and both are rookies.
Janse van Rensburg has played one test while Ruan Nortje, the only other fit lock in the team,has played two tests, with his second start coming in Perth after a 2022 debut against Wales in Bloemfontein.
The Boks at least do have options - Pieter-Steph du Toit spent a large part of his career at lock, and could easily shift back there as he did in Brisbane for the first win over the Wallabies, while Ben-Jason Dixon could also be considered as a lock for this test.
The problem is that Du Toit and Dixon both flourish at seven, while Nortje is a five lock and Janse van Rensburg is a five/seven utility forward. If Etzebeth is ruled out it will leave the Boks without the traditional enforcer role at four.
Moerat was concussed in the Perth win over Australia and was expected to be ready for Saturday, but Davids dismissed this at the Monday press conference. RG Snyman, who missed both tests in Australia with a foot injury, was seen at the team hotel with his foot in a moon boot, and when Davids confirmed he would be out for a lot longer, his availability for the rest of the Rugby Championship must be in doubt.
Either way, if Etzebeth is ruled out, the Boks will likely call up another player, with Ruben van Heerden on standbye and could be included if they feel they need extra cover for the game.
The uncertainty over Etzebeth’s injury is also a concern, as Davids never mentioned what was the problem with the lock.
“Salmaan went off with an HIA, so unfortunately he won’t be available for selection,” Davids said at the press conference.
“Unfortunately we have an injury list when it comes to our locks. We know that guys like Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Jean Kleyn are out. At this point in time RG Snyman is also unavailable due to a leg injury and I can’t go into detail but it looks like he will be out for a couple of weeks.
“At this point in time Eben Etzebeth is also a doubt with a bit of a niggle. It is also something we will look at in terms of his availability. Lucky we have some good depth, guys who have played in those positions like Pieter-Steph and Ruan Nortje, and Nicolaas who we brought in. We also have Ben-Jason who can play there.
“It is always tough when you lose players with experience but it is also a great opportunity for those players to see the quality of what the next guy can bring to the squad.”
The Boks name their side on Tuesday for the clash.