Rassie Erasmus faces a growing dilemma with the depleted Springbok lock options, as RG Snyman has been ruled out for the rest of the Rugby Championship due to injury.
According to Rapport, Snyman is undergoing rehabilitation in Dublin with his new club Leinster, indicating his foot injury will sideline the two-time world champion for several more weeks.
Adding to the woes, Franco Mostert’s leg injury is expected to keep him out for another five weeks, while Jean Kleyn is in the final phase of recovery following eye surgery. Lood de Jager’s shoulder injury means he won’t return until December at the earliest.
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With 186 combined caps between Snyman, Mostert, Kleyn, and De Jager unavailable, Erasmus is considering resting Eben Etzebeth, the second-most capped Bok, in the upcoming Test in Argentina against Los Pumas to manage his workload.
Options include Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat, and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, with Moerat potentially stepping up as captain if Etzebeth is rested and Siya Kolisi undergoes nose surgery.
Erasmus has also hinted at Irne Herbst of Harlequins and could eye promising young talent in the Currie Cup.
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