Potgieter back to help Waratahs hunt a few big cats trophies in SA

CAPE TOWN — Waratahs loose forward Jacques Potgieter has been passed fit to make their Super Rugby trip to South Africa.

He returns to the squad after missing the past two weekends of action with a bruised breastbone. That’s the good news. The bad news is the suspense of two key forwards, which will deal a significant blow to the 2014 Super Rugby champions title defence.

Hooker Tolu Latu and towering Test lock Will Skelton were suspended for four and two weeks respectively on Monday for their part in a lifting tackle on Crusaders and All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock. Sanzar’s finding means that the Waratahs headed to South Africa without their first two first-choice hookers with Test hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau being rested after two concussions this season. This means that hooker Hugh Roach (22) will start for the Waratahs with just a handful of games behind him,and Manly hooker Dave Porecki will also join the touring party.

Skelton, like Latu’s ruling, will be challenged by the Waratahs and has travelled with the team in anticipation of a favourable ruling. But if the suspension stands, his absence will be slightly lessened by the inclusion of former Wallaby Dean Mumm, who returns to the Waratahs after playing for and captaining English club Exeter since 2012.

The Waratahs will face the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, before concluding their tour against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein the following week.

— SuperSport