Injured Boks a slight worry for Mallett

Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett is a little worried about the match-fitness of a few members in the Springbok Rugby World Cup squad.

Mallett was speaking in the SuperSport studio following last Friday’s squad announcement.

“I'm a little worried about the guys coming back from injury,” he said. “How much rugby has Willem Alberts played this year? You've also got Pieter-Steph du Toit and Francois Louw coming back from injury. Frans Malherbe had a bad injury, Coenie Oosthuizen had a neck injury and Duane Vermeulen is coming back from a neck operation. So a number of those forwards are brilliant players, but let's hope those injuries don't curtail their performances at the World Cup.”

The squad chosen is still a formidable one though, according to Mallett.

“It's a fantastic squad, one that most of us expected from Heyneke and the selectors. There's lots of experience and they've given youth a chance in Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel and Rudy Paige.”

The Boks start their World Cup campaign against Japan in Brighton on September 19.

Their second pool game is on September 26 against Samoa in Birmingham, before Tests against Scotland in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on October 3, and the USA in London on October 7.

Springbok squad:

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Lood de Jager, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield (vice-captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen

Backs: Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian de Allende, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Jesse Kriel, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard, Morne Steyn