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Durban - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers admits he is worried that a host of loose forwards are struggling with injuries ahead of South Africa's Tri-Nations clash against Australia in Durban on Saturday.
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Pierre Spies (groin) and Danie Rossouw (ill) were the latest doubtful starters on Monday, forcing the Springbok coach to draft in Ashley Johnson and Ryan Kankowski just 24 hours before he was due to name his team.
Before the arrival of the reinforcements, the squad was down to the bare bones among the backrow forwards where Jean Deysel was the only fully fit player.
The Bulls number eight (Spies) is still struggling with a groin problem that has plagued him in recent months.
Rossouw, who has fallen ill, and Willem Alberts (shoulder) are also doubtful starters for the match in Durban.
"We reassessed his (Spies's) groin and weren't happy with where it is," said South Africa team doctor Craig Roberts. "He's been sent for a scan and we're now waiting for the results of the scan to see where he is exactly in terms of his availability for this weekend.
"I'll know more after I see the results."
Regarding Rossouw's struggles with illness, Roberts said the Bulls loose forward was still on a drip on Sunday. "He's been on a drip since yesterday and we will see how he is tomorrow. Hopefully he should be able to train tomorrow. We'll have to make that call on him tomorrow."
Roberts explained that Alberts has been struggling with shoulder and back problems. "He (Alberts) has been doing some rehab with his back as you know. He did injure his back a bit with the rehab and it's a bit stiff at the moment. We are going to make a call on him later in the week."
Heinrich Brüssow, who was added to the squad at the weekend after a cameo Currie Cup appearance for the Cheetahs against Western Province, was the other available loose forward.
Brüssow, however, has not played a full game of rugby for some time.
"If we look at the list then we should start worrying," said De Villiers.
"I'm more worried about the game time that the guys need (before the World Cup), more than anything else.
"Almost all of them haven't played now for six or seven weeks, so that is the biggest worry.
"But we’ll give them the time that they need to heal."
De Villiers said he was pleased with Brüssow, who impressed in Bloemfontein during a 20 minute appearance for the Cheetahs, in which he made three steals.
"He showed us that he's a quality player and it will be a gross dishonour for the game if you go to the World Cup without a player with his abilities," said De Villiers.
Two other loose forwards - Schalk Burger (hand), Juan Smith (Achilles) - were with the squad, although Burger was unlikely to feature in either of the home Tests.
Smith may be given a run-out against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth next week.
Springbok squad:
Backs - Province/Club - Caps:
Gio Aplon - DHL Western Province - 14
Frans Steyn - Racing Metro, France - 42
JP Pietersen - The Sharks - 36
Bryan Habana - DHL Western Province - 68
Jaque Fourie - DHL Western Province - 62
Juan de Jongh - DHL Western Province - 8
Jean de Villiers - DHL Western Province - 67
Morne Steyn - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 27
Butch James - MTN Golden Lions - 40
Ruan Pienaar - Ulster, N Ireland - 49
Fourie du Preez - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 55
Francois Hougaard - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 8
Forwards:
Pierre Spies - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 40
Jean Deysel - The Sharks - 3
Danie Rossouw - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 56
Bakkies Botha - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 72
Victor Matfield - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 105
Gerhard Mostert - Stade Francais, France - 1
John Smit (captain) - The Sharks - 104
Bismarck du Plessis - The Sharks - 36
Tendai Mtawarira - The Sharks - 26
Jannie du Plessis - The Sharks - 24
Gurthrö Steenkamp - Vodacom Blue Bulls - 31
CJ van der Linde - MTN Golden Lions - 71
Heinrich Brüssow - Toyota Free State Cheetahs - 13
Ryan Kankowski - The Sharks - 19
Ashley Johnson - Toyota Free State Cheetahs - 2
