Coach Rassie calls injury crisis a myth

THE Springboks' first-choice half-back pairing of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach will be ship-shape for the Boks’ first Test against the All Blacks on August 21, according to coach Rassie Erasmus.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Erasmus briefed the media on Thursday, and he had mostly good news as he laughed off the narrative that he is beset with an injury crisis.

Instead, Erasmus says his big challenge is to find opportunities for a burgeoning list of players knocking on the Springbok door.

“We've actually got a lot of players available and the challenge at the moment is figuring out how to give everyone game time,” he said. “The reality is that only RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, and Ruan Venter are out for the year.

“And it is such a pity for Ruan because he has come through so nicely at the Lions, and we had plans for him as a guy who can play flank and lock,” the coach explained.

Erasmus said that key players in Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, and Grant Williams are fully recovered and ready for action.

“Nearly all the players who would regularly feature in our match 23 are okay,” the coach continued.