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Wellington - The Springboks were licking their wounds on Monday ahead of their Tri-Nations clash against New Zealand on Saturday.
Both starting locks used by South Africa in their 39-20 Tri-Nations loss to Australia over the weekend are carrying injuries with Flip van der Merwe suffering from a rib cartilage injury, which makes his participation against the All Blacks highly unlikely, while Alistair Hargreaves has an abdominal strain.
Hargreaves is likely to be fit for the match against New Zealand while fullback Gio Aplon, who missed training on Monday because of a badly bruised back, will also be fit.
“Our biggest concern is Flip van der Merwe who popped his rib cartilage and he is very doubtful for this weekend,” Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts said.
“We are going to see how he responds over the next 24 hours but I don’t see him making a miraculous recovery in terms of his availability for Saturday,” he added.
Roberts was more upbeat about Hargreaves and Aplon.
“Alistair Hargreaves has an abdominal muscle strain and he missed training today as a precaution but we are confident he will be ready for this weekend.
Gio Aplon also sat out after he landed quite awkwardly on his back and he has a bruised lower back but he should be good to go from tomorrow,” Roberts explained.
The Springboks are scrapping the barrel in an attempt to find enough fit locks and have been forced to add Gerhard Mostert, the former Sharks second-row man who recently signed with French club side Stade Francais, to their squad.
Mostert and Danie Rossouw are the only two locks in the touring squad who are currently free of any injury.
South Africa assistant coach Gary Gold said that the crop of injuries, which also saw lock Johann Muller pull out of the test against Australia with a hamstring complaint, will play a part in the team selected for the All Blacks clash.
“The plan is just to play anyone who is fit at this stage,” Gold said.
“The plan when we came over was to pick the best team to go and win two Tri-Nations games. There wasn’t a rotation policy and it was about picking the best team out of the 28 guys that were here.
“Injuries have played their hand for us and now we are literally picking last man standing. If they are fit enough then they are going to play,” he explained.
