Matfield, JdV concern for Boks
11 Sep 2011
Victor Matfield and Jean de Villiers sustained injuries in the Springboks’ win against Wales and are in danger of missing the next fixture against Fiji.
De Villiers went off in the first half with what appeared to be a rib injury, while Matfield hobbled off with a hamstring ailment in the second stanza. Bok coach Peter de Villiers said that he was ‘very worried about them’, intimating that the two senior Boks could be doubtful for the upcoming game against Fiji.
He refused, however, to rule them out before they’ve undergone full medical assessments. The results of these tests will be made public on Monday.
A serious injury to Matfield will upset the balance of the Bok side, as outside of Johann Muller they have no specialist No 5 in the squad of 30.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Wellington
10 Comments
11 Sep 2011, 13:50 pm
I would play Muller and Mostert in the next match – send Bakkies and Matfield home – then call in the Dragons Wikus v Heerden and Franco vd Merwe.
11 Sep 2011, 14:06 pm
@RL(RL)-1:
You can’t have all 3 (Mostert, van Heerden & vd Merwe) for sending 2 (Botha & Matfield) home. Hopefully the injuries aren’t serious. Lost serious structure in that backline when JdV went off. Gambled and it didn’t really pay off with an early injury in the backs.
11 Sep 2011, 14:16 pm
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-2: easy send Odwa home – useless passenger anyway.
11 Sep 2011, 14:44 pm
Matfield… eish…
could have said i told you so but i won’t!!!
Hey snorre, don’t play injured players man!
11 Sep 2011, 14:56 pm
@RL(RL)-3:
Ask him to fake an injury? Because that’s a smart idea? Probably leave Bok management banned from the game for a few years if something like that was uncovered.
11 Sep 2011, 15:21 pm
What is it with JdV and World Cups? Must have the worst luck ever!
It’s unbelievable that we don’t have a decent 3rd choice nr 5 lock!
11 Sep 2011, 15:26 pm
@Rugbyprof(rugbyprof)-6:
We had Andries Bekker? And we actually have a few good locks in SA who could do the job. If you compare that to other countries like Australia and NZ we are in a good position at lock. Gerhard Mostert can jump there. Wilhelm Steenkamp might be a Bok next year (now that he’s a Bull). Juandre Kruger same thing. Ross Skeate probably wouldn’t dissapoint considering his form for the Sharks the last few weeks.
Compare that to NZ who are still stuck with Ali Williams!!
11 Sep 2011, 16:00 pm
@Staal(Staal)-4: You’re right!! Didn’t we all think that…
11 Sep 2011, 19:18 pm
who do you all think is our best backup to jean devilliers in the likely event of hime being seriously injured and having to go back home?
11 Sep 2011, 22:21 pm
Put F. Steyn into his preferred position of 1st centre and Lambie at 15.
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