The Springboks and All Blacks have each lost a key player for the fourth Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in Baltimore, USA.
Bok fullback Cheslin Kolbe left the field in the ninth minute of their 29-24 win at FNB Stadium on Saturday for an HIA and did not return to the field.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed after the final whistle that Kolbe suffered a broken jaw. He also revealed several players who will be making the trip to the US.
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“Cheslin broke his jaw,” Erasmus said. “Damian [Willemse] and Canan [Moodie] will be ready next week.
“The six guys staying behind will be Carlü [Sadie], Ntuks [Ntuthuko Mchunu], Boan [Venter], Ben-Jason [Dixon] … he’s still got some concussion symptoms.
“Herschel [Jantjes] would have stayed home but because Cheslin is now staying home, Herschel is travelling with us.
“Grant [Williams] also covers wing, [Aphelele] Fassi is ready and Quan Horn is going with as well.”
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All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, who walked off with shoulder injury in the 30th minute, has also been ruled out of next Saturday’s match.
Savea scored two tries in Johannesburg, but won’t be on the plane to Baltimore as his team looks to salvage a 2-2 series draw.
Addressing Savea’s injury post-match, All Blacks boss Dave Rennie told reporters: “Yes, it’s his shoulder. I’m certainly not sure whether it’s dislocated or not but he certainly won’t be travelling to the States.
“He was massive, wasn’t he? But, you know, Wallace [Sititi] came on and played well, so we’re certainly not going to use that as an excuse.”
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