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'Good' news for Boks on injury front

Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will breathe a sigh of relief with the news that several key players won't be ruled out of Rugby World Cup contention.

As it happened: Australia v South Africa

There was very real concern that all of lock Victor Matfield, flank Marcel Coetzee and prop Jannie du Plessis would play no part in the remainder of the Rugby Championship after picking up injuries in the Boks' 24-20 defeat to Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, severely hampering Meyer's World Cup preparations.

Matfield limped off with a hamstring strain in the 18th minute, while Coetzee suffered what looked potentially like a season-ending knee injury in the 70th minute. Meanwhile, Du Plessis had to undergo a head injury assessment in the 14th minute and was subsequently taken off the field in the 48th minute.

However, post-match Matfield said he was hoping he would only be out for a week or two.

Regarding Coetzee, Meyer said: "At first we were worried, thought it was his knee ligaments. Probably better news, just a bruise above the knee. We'll take a look at him. Probably out for two to three weeks."

So while Matfield and Coetzee will in all likelihood sit out next weekend's clash against the All Blacks at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, Meyer thought Du Plessis would be "fine" to play.

In contrast, the All Blacks have elected to leave flyhalf Dan Carter and centre Sonny Bill Williams at home as they head for South Africa following their opening Rugby Championship win over Argentina in Christchurch.

In addition, coach Steve Hansen has lost the services of leading Super Rugby try-scorer Waisake Naholo who was ruled out of the World Cup with a broken fibula.

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