Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams will be out of action “for at least two weeks” after suffering a concussion in the opening minute of the 2023 Rugby Championship win over Argentina on Saturday.
Part of the build-up to the final-round match in Johannesburg had been dedicated to the dynamic Williams making his first start for the world champions.
POLL: Williams incident – did the ref get it right?
But just 10 seconds after the kick-off, the speedy halfback was concussed in a collision with Pumas fullback Juan Cruz Mallia and stretchered off.
He later appeared on the Bok bench to applause from the Ellis Park crowd.
“Grant was out cold so I think there is definitely concussion. I don’t know the extent of it, but he will probably be out for at least two weeks,” Nienaber said.
Williams was left out of the squad that travelled to Buenos Aires for the first World Cup warm-up match against Los Pumas. Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach and Herschel Jantjies were included in the 26-player squad for the Test on Saturday, 5 August.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: WIKUS DE WET / AFP