Pieter-Steph du Toit
Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan says Pieter-Steph du Toit’s injury is a big setback for the team ahead of their three-Test series against Ireland.
Du Toit, who has been plagued with injuries since making his international debut in 2013, suffered a grade two hamstring tear in the Stormers 31-24 win over the Cheetahs last weekend and has been ruled out of action for between two and six weeks.
Van Graan on Tuesday said that although the lock’s injury is “not a long-term one”, Du Toit was still a big part of the team’s plans heading into the first Test against Ireland.
“I believe Pieter-Steph [du Toit] will develop into one of the best locks in the world,” said Van Graan.
“He was pretty unlucky to get injured in 2013 and then again in early in 2015. I think he showed at the World Cup that he will develop into one of the best and in Super Rugby he has been fantastic.
“He is a big loss for the Springboks – he was part of our plans and he is still part of our plans. Luckily it’s not a long term injury.”
Du Toit’s injury opened the door for Lions lock Franco Mostert, who joined the Springboks in Stellenbosch from the SA ‘A’ squad on Tuesday.
Van Graan said he was looking forward to seeing Mostert in a Springbok jersey.
“I am very happy that Franco Mostert has got his opportunity.
“I think he deserves it. He has been unbelievable in Super Rugby…I cannot wait to see him play,” he added.
Meanwhile, Van Graan said the absence of overseas-based players Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw and Steven Kitshoff for the training camp in Stellenbosch is not a major disruption to their planning. The trio will only join the squad on Sunday, June 5.
“All three are world class players. Duane [Vermeulen] has been the heart and soul of this team for the last four years.
“Flo [Francois Louw] is one of the best openside flanks in the world, so I don’t see any reason why they won’t fit in seamlessly next week.
“They are informed about what is going on and what they need to know, so I don’t see any problem with that,” said the forwards coach.
rugby365
Die klong het die selfde probleem as johan goosen te veel te gou….
@ smallies:
Hi smallies veels geluk, het nou die dag gesien jou kommentaar oor jou laaitie, great stuff must make you a really proud dad hope he does so well in his rugby
smallies wrote:
Ja seems du Toit does struggle a bit from injuries, was surprised to read that he was unlucky in 2013 from the Bok assistant, doesn’t seem like he has been around that long already.
@ Bullscot:
Hav’nt stopped smiling yet mate it is huge for our school to have seven kids in the EP youth teams….
@ smallies:
Lekker man a big achievement indeed.
Bullscot wrote:
Sicknote
Another talented player like Johan Goosen and Andre Pretorius, without durability to match the talent
He seems to be injured a lot more than he plays, just ask the Sharks how many games he played
Very talented player. However, he is injury prone, so if I was AC, I would only use him as a back up, not as my frontline lock.
Greetings from Portugal. Saw on the news earlier that Jonathan Sexton and Rob & Dave Kearney are out of Ireland’s tour to SA due to injury. Ian Madigan may not overall be as good as Sexton but think he is a good running flyhalf who can get his backs away well he has also played at centre. Just hoping will be able to find somewhere to watch the first test.
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