Handré Pollard could join the Springboks in Ireland next week as Rassie Erasmus keeps his fingers crossed over the prospects of another two-time World Cup winner.
Pollard was ruled out of Erasmus’ initial touring squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship with a hamstring problem.
The Bok boss provided an update on the flyhalf’s availability as well as that of locks Eben Etzebeth, who was called up in place of the injured Yaqeen Ahmed, and Salmaan Moerat, a late withdrawal for last week’s win over Italy.
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“Next weekend, Handré will probably be available to fly over,” Erasmus told Rugby365. “Eben will definitely be available for selection. Salmaan should be ready too.
“If we do get an injury in the backline, a guy like Handré might join us as well.”
He also addressed Frans Malherbe’s Bok future, after revealing at his team announcement conference for Friday’s match against France that the tighthead prop is being considered for next year’s World Cup.
Malherbe, whose last Test was in 2024, is training with the Stormers as he continues his recovery from neck and back issues, with a return to play targeted for January.
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“He’s training hard and got into some contact training as well,” Erasmus said. “And our medical team is in touch with him on a regular basis.
“But we want the best for Frans and that’s for him to be healthy, and if he is healthy, we want him for us.
“Hopefully that happens, not that I can guarantee that, but that’s the chances and discussions at this time.”
Photo: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images
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