Rassie Erasmus has named a powerful side to face England at Ellis Park, but injuries in the second row mean Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to pull double duty as lock cover. Photo: Backpagepix
Pieter-Steph du Toit is poised to play an important role for the Springboks this weekend when they face England in their Nations Championship opener, but then big shifts and important roles are when Du Toit excels the most.
The tow-time World Rugby Player of the Year will start at blindside flank on Saturday at Ellis Park against the visitors (kick-off 5.40pm) but due to the 5-3 split on the bench and the absence of a recognised lock amongst the replacements, the 33-year-old will act as second-row cover, should anything untoward happen to Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth during the match.
The Boks won’t call it a lock crisis just yet, but they are certainly a bit thin in that department this weekend. Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager are near full fitness and are expected to return within the next fortnight, but the long-term injuries to RG Snyman and Ruan Venter, and most recently Riley Norton, have compounded the situation in the second row.
The latter’s absence, declared on Tuesday morning by SA Rugby, has seen Bulls loose forward Elrigh Louw called up to the squad.
