The Springboks are sweating over the fitness of two key players heading into this week’s second Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

This weekend, the Boks came from behind to beat the All Blacks 31-27 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to remain unbeaten in the Rugby Championship. The win may have come at a high cost with the captain Siya Kolisi having a suspected cheekbone fracture, while the winger, Kurt-Lee Arendse, may be out with a concussion.

The coach Rassie Erasmus said the team doctor will make a final call on the extent of Kolisi’s injury. “It looks like a fracture to me, but I’m not a medical doctor, however, I think it is a fracture. The doctor will definitely have to look into it. He doesn’t normally look like this,” said Erasmus.

Sam Cane's tackle on Siya Kolisi.#RSAvNZL #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/9oP0bMYuBH

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 1, 2024

Erasmus also confirmed that Arendse picked up a concussion and the chances that he will be playing in Cape Town are very slim.

It is, however, concerning that the tackle by Sam Cane on Kolisi was very suspicious and it had been checked, he may well have received a second red card in two Tests against the Springboks. In the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, he received an upgraded red card for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel.

The Springboks are expected to have more clarity on Kolisi’s injury on Monday.

Saturday’s Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg