Springbok fullback Frans Steyn will not be considered for Saturday’s Castle Tri-Nations Series Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth, while flanker Juan Smith will be available to play in the Absa Currie Cup for the Toyota Free State Cheetahs this weekend.
Steyn injured his hamstring against Australia last Saturday in Durban and will not be fit to play this weekend at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. He will remain with the squad to do his rehabilitation.
Furthermore, Bok captain John Smit sat out training on Monday morning because of flu.
Springbok conditioning coach Neels Liebel confirmed that the elbow injury Smit sustained is not serious. Both Smit and Bakkies Botha, who is also struggling with a light bout of flu, should be ready to play. The team for Saturday’s Test will be named on Tuesday.
Smith, who has been undergoing rehabilitation on his injured Achilles, was released from the Bok squad on Monday morning and travelled to Bloemfontein where he will prepare with the Toyota Free State Cheetahs for their Absa Currie Cup match against the Ford Pumas on Saturday afternoon.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said the team is looking forward to play in the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“It will be our first Test in Port Elizabeth in a number of years and the first time we’ll face New Zealand here since 1970. It’s going to be a big occasion and one we’re looking forward to,” said De Villiers.
“We weren’t happy with defeat against Australia last weekend, but we did a lot of things right in the Test – small things we’ve really been working hard on – and that was good to see. This weekend we have to be even better in our execution.”
