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Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is a worried man ahead of the international series against Italy, Scotland and Samoa next month.
Meyer was speaking to Beeld as his team conducted a two-day training session in Durban, ahead of their first Test there against Italy on June 8.
He said injuries will not allow him to play his best side which will see a few newcomers get a chance.
GALLERY: Boks train in Durban
"Injuries hurt us too much. I can't play with the team I'd like," said Meyer.
"I stay loyal to the players who performed best. Last year I had to utilise 20 new Boks and I definitely don't want to do it every year.
"I'm worried that I couldn't practice with the team I'd like to play in the first Test here against Italy. The players weren't together these last five months and now I only have a few days for our preparation."
Meyer also dismissed the notion that Italy will be pushovers.
"They finished (sic) third (fourth) in the Six Nations (this year) and their tactical kicking is very good. It worries me, especially because we'll have to employ a new back trio.
"The fullback position really worries me. I hope that Zane (Kirchner) will be ready, and there's also Gio Aplon, Willie le Roux and Pat Lambie who can play there. I'm also looking outside the group; a player like Hennie Daniller has impressed me."
Several players including captain Jean de Villiers sat out training on Monday. The others were Coenie Oosthuizen, Le Roux, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Elton Jantjies, Demetri Catrakilis, Juan de Jongh, Flip van der Merwe and Kirchner.
Due to the injury toll, the backline formation which trained was: 15. Lambie, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. Bryan Habana, 12. Lwazi Mvovo, 11. JJ Engelbrecht, 10. Morné Steyn and 9. Jano Vermaak, while 1. Beast Mtawarira, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Juandré Kruger, 5. Eben Etzebeth, 6. Willem Alberts, 7. Arno Botha and Marcell Coetzee and 8. Pierre Spies made up the forwards.
Meyer was speaking to Beeld as his team conducted a two-day training session in Durban, ahead of their first Test there against Italy on June 8.
He said injuries will not allow him to play his best side which will see a few newcomers get a chance.
GALLERY: Boks train in Durban
"Injuries hurt us too much. I can't play with the team I'd like," said Meyer.
"I stay loyal to the players who performed best. Last year I had to utilise 20 new Boks and I definitely don't want to do it every year.
"I'm worried that I couldn't practice with the team I'd like to play in the first Test here against Italy. The players weren't together these last five months and now I only have a few days for our preparation."
Meyer also dismissed the notion that Italy will be pushovers.
"They finished (sic) third (fourth) in the Six Nations (this year) and their tactical kicking is very good. It worries me, especially because we'll have to employ a new back trio.
"The fullback position really worries me. I hope that Zane (Kirchner) will be ready, and there's also Gio Aplon, Willie le Roux and Pat Lambie who can play there. I'm also looking outside the group; a player like Hennie Daniller has impressed me."
Several players including captain Jean de Villiers sat out training on Monday. The others were Coenie Oosthuizen, Le Roux, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Elton Jantjies, Demetri Catrakilis, Juan de Jongh, Flip van der Merwe and Kirchner.
Due to the injury toll, the backline formation which trained was: 15. Lambie, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. Bryan Habana, 12. Lwazi Mvovo, 11. JJ Engelbrecht, 10. Morné Steyn and 9. Jano Vermaak, while 1. Beast Mtawarira, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Juandré Kruger, 5. Eben Etzebeth, 6. Willem Alberts, 7. Arno Botha and Marcell Coetzee and 8. Pierre Spies made up the forwards.
