Massive Bok Boost! Eben Rushed To France As Rookie Suffers Injury Blow
Experienced lock Eben Etzebeth has been called up to the Springbok squad and will join the team in France on Monday, while uncapped flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed will return to South Africa on Sunday after picking up a shoulder niggle.
Etzebeth, the most-capped Springbok with 147 Test appearances, was initially left out of coach Rassie Erasmus’ touring squad for the second phase of the Nations Championship due to injury. However, having recovered, the veteran lock has now been recalled to the squad as Ahmed’s replacement.
The 20-year-old Ahmed, one of six uncapped players in the touring squad, has been struggling with a shoulder problem, which forced him to miss most of the training sessions ahead of the Springboks’ emphatic 66-7 victory over Italy in Turin on Saturday.
Erasmus expressed his disappointment at Ahmed’s withdrawal but believes the young flyhalf will benefit from the experience he gained during his time with the national squad.
“We are very sad for Yaqeen after earning his first call-up to the national squad, but we feel it will be best for him to return to South Africa to recover,” said Erasmus on Sunday.
“After being with us for a week, he has a good idea of how we operate and has more insight into our systems, and we are confident that the experience will benefit him immensely as a player going forward.
“With enough backline cover in the squad and a number of versatile players among them, we opted to call up Eben, who will not only bring vast experience to the group at this vital stage of the Nations Championship, but also valuable leadership skills, especially with two important matches against France and Ireland in the next two weeks before the Finals Weekend of the tournament.”
Erasmus is expected to announce his matchday 23 to face France on Monday.
The Test against Les Bleus will take place at the Stade de France on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 22:10 (SA time). The encounter will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
