Bok lock stocks soon to have more smoking barrels as Rassie provides injury update

With the health of the Springboks' lock stocks a recurring question as the international season approaches, coach Rassie Erasmus has given an update on two players critical to the South African cause.

While Franco Mostert started against the Barbarians, he went off with what appeared to be an ankle injury, and Erasmus said after the game that he would need scans to determine its severity.

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Luckily, it doesn’t seem too serious, but Erasmus confirmed that Mostert will not be fit to face England on 4 July and said that Lood de Jager is closing in on full fitness.

“Lood is touch-and-go for England, but the week after that he should be available [against Scotland],” Erasmus told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

“Franco should also be available around that time,” Erasmus said.

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Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton will provide cover while the Bok legends return to fitness, and Erasmus was asked why JJ van der Mescht has not yet been brought into the frame after being part of alignment camps this year.

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Erasmus said that it’s all about Norton knowing the Bok structures better than Van der Mescht currently. He also said they have very different playing profiles.

“Our interaction with JJ was virtual, or through contact with his club and monitoring his stats,” Erasmus said.

“Riley is totally different. He’s in our system, and JJ has been away for a really long time.

“Riley knows our systems really well because he has come through our structures.

“One player is a lineout caller who is very athletic around the park. The other is a bruiser who plays very direct.

“It depends on what you need for a specific Test match,” Erasmus added.