Whiteley in doubt for Murrayfield Test

Springbok loose forward Warren Whiteley is likely to miss Saturday’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield after picking up a calf injury in the win against France. 

The no 8 was taken off early in the second half against France. His injury is likely to see Rassie Erasmus move Pieter-Steph du Toit back to the side of the scrum with Duane Vermeulen returning to the #8 jersey.

Erasmus is hopeful that lock Eben Etzebeth will have recovered from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the clash against France and be available for selection.

‘When you lose a match, you have to pick up momentum again and I think that is a balancing act after losing twice to England,’ Erasmus said. ‘I like to make changes when we are winning, not when we are losing. That is why I got Faf [de Klerk] and the more experienced guys back.

‘The guys in the European cycle like Faf and Francois Louw, they are as fresh as the guys we are playing against, whereas we are at the end of our season. So it really helps to get some guys who are playing abroad because they are in that fresh cycle. That’s what helped last week in terms of getting back in those last few minutes.’

Erasmus added that tightheads Frans Malherbe and Vincent Koch were both carrying knocks after the physical encounter last weekend, but should be ready for this weekend.

Story via: SA Rugby Mag