CAPE TOWN Aug 14 (Reuters) – Number eight Pierre Spies has
been ruled out of South Africa’s inaugural Rugby Championship
match against Argentina on Saturday because of a finger injury
that requires surgery.
The experienced 27-year-old suffered the injury to his left
hand last month while playing Super Rugby for the Bulls. Initial
X-rays did not reveal the extent of the problem.
“However, on review and further investigation, including a
CT scan and assessment by a hand specialist in Cape Town, it was
found that Pierre had a fracture in the joint,” Springbok team
doctor Craig Roberts said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Surgical correction is needed in order to prevent permanent
damage. The usual rehabilitation time for these kinds of
injuries is eight to 12 weeks.”
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said Spies would not be
replaced immediately. “We have faith in the players in the squad
and will consider the call-up of a possible replacement at a
later stage,” said Meyer.
“Losing Pierre is obviously a setback, because he is the
most experienced member of our forward pack, but we will never
take any risks with injured players.”
Keegan Daniel, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Jacques
Potgieter and Siya Kolisi are the remaining loose forwards in
the Springbok squad.
The Rugby Championship replaces the southern-hemisphere
Tri-Nations and includes Argentina. Australia play New Zealand
in Sydney on Saturday before South Africa take on Argentina in
Cape Town later.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
© Thomson Reuters 2012 All rights reserved
