The Springboks’ recent loss to Ireland that leveled the series in Durban has resulted in several injury concerns for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that players like Franco Mostert is out for six months and Pieter-Steph du Toit (who captained the Boks against Wales) will be out for four to six weeks.

Hooker Malcom Marx received a big bang in the Irish test in his knee, but continued to play on under the pain and he is out to four to six weeks. He got a bang in his knee during a horrific croc roll tackle that earned Irish captain Caelan Doris a yellow card. 

Marx already had that knee hugely bandaged after he suffered it in the Rugby World Cup last year in France.  

It was his first appearance with the Springbok since September when they defeated Wales in London few weeks ago.  

It leaves Bongi Mbonambi, who also suffered a knee injury in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand in France, as the only recognised hooker in the side.  

It took Mbonambi sometime to be back to his fitness with his franchise, the Sharks, this past before he was back in the side on the way to win the Challenge Cup. Canan Moodie, who has not featured in any of the three test matches so far of the Boks, according to Erasmus will be back soon. 

“Canan will be back next week, as I understand,” said Erasmus at the press conference in Bloemfontein ahead of the side that will face Portugal at Toyota Stadium on Saturday. 

“I’m not hundred percent sure. Franco is out for six weeks; he broke his leg. Malcolm, I just heard now, he’s got a little bit of tibia fracture, when he got injured. 

“Edwill (van Merwe) is out for six weeks and Pieter-Steph is out for four to six weeks. But, all will be ready for the second Test of the Rugby Championship, apart of the guys who are out for six weeks.” 

The Springboks face the Wallabies in a two-test series in Australia, starting on August 10th in Brisbane. With just three weeks to recover, the injured players face a tight race to be fit for the tour.

The Boks are aiming to win the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019, when they achieved the feat alongside the Rugby World Cup victory.