Springbok injury woes continue

Toulouse’s hopes of a Champions Cup title were dashed when they lost to Exeter yesterday in the semi-final. To rub salt in the wound, star winger Cheslin Kolbe hobbled with the field in the second half with what looked like a damaged ankle.

This, the latest in a string of unfortunate injuries that are sure to leave Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus with their heads in the hands.

Kolbe has been snapping ankles over the last few weeks but now it’s his ankle that lets him down... ironic pic.twitter.com/27PHh3yndM

— Edward Barker (@EdwardB24376757) September 26, 2020

Shortly after the Premiership resumed, Springbok lock Lood de Jager injured his shoulder once again – requiring surgery – while another prominent second-rower, RG Snyman, tore his ACL ligament after just seven minutes in his debut for Munster.

Springbok hard man Eben Etzebeth had just begun the new Top 14 season when he was sidelined with a rib injury.

The severity of Kolbe’s injury has not yet been confirmed. What is worry, however, is that he was plagued by ankle troubles throughout South Africa’s World Cup campaign in 2019.

With the Rugby Championship scheduled for November, the Springboks selectors are going to have look deep into their stocks to replace a number of high-profile players, especially in the engine room.