This is just in! South Africa has the world’s best medical team, and in just two weeks, they have managed to get almost 21 players to play again.
Coach Peter de Villiers says he will have a stronger squad for the home leg of the Tri-Nations.
The Springbok head coach will announce a squad on Friday, where at least 14 first-choice players will return from the sidelines. The 21-man injured group have spent time at a camp in Rustenberg, while a weakened Bok team toured Australasia.
“I know all the Bulls guys will be well rested. They had an extra week to recover and the nice thing about it is that the players’ bodies had the chance to recover,” said De Villiers.
“The injuries are now something of the past and are now just niggles. And one can play with niggles.”
De Villiers is, however, worried about hardman Juan Smith, who is still struggling to recover from injury. Smith was expected to make his return against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth, but that remains doubtful.
The Tri-Nations squad will meet in Durban on Sunday, ahead of their next match against the Wallabies next weekend.
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