Bakkies Botha and Jaque Fourie out of Tri-Nations

Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has been ruled out of the rest of this year's Tri-Nations

In an announcement that is sure to be greeted with some interest in the Qantas Wallabies camp, the Springboks combative lock Bakkies Botha and hard running centre Jaque Fourie have both been ruled out of the rest of the Tri-Nations  after sustaining injuries in South Africa’s 63-9 romp over Argentina in Johannesburg on Saturday, a Test played in honour of Nelson Mandela’s 90^th Birthday.

Lock/flanker Danie Rossouw and wonder-kid Francois Steyn were called in to the squad (in Steyn’s case re-called) in place of the injured duo. But in true South African Rugby style, confusion set in shortly afterwards when it was revealed both Rossouw and Steyn were also struggling with injury.

The injuries and replacements were confirmed by Andy Marinos, the Manager of National Teams, at a Springbok media conference on Monday in Cape Town, where the Springboks meet the All Blacks on Saturday.

“Bakkies went for a scan where it was confirmed that he ruptured his Posterior Cruciate Ligament” explained Marinos, “He was seen by an orthopaedic specialist who advised that we adopt a conservative management of the injury and as such the player will not undergo an operation but will commence immediately with rehabilitation. He has, however, been ruled out for the rest of the Tri-Nations. We are hopeful that he will be fit again for selection for the end of the year tour to Europe.”

In regard to Fourie, Marinos said:

“Following a clash of heads between Jaque and the Argentinean left wing, a CT scan revealed a fracture to the right cheekbone. This is a depressed fracture which will require surgery this week. Following his operation, Jaque will then be out of action for 6 weeks.”

But then Marinos went on to list the various ailments of the replacements:

“Following his match against the Lions on Friday (playing for the Bulls in the Currie Cup) Danie Rossouw spent the night in hospital where he was examined and cleared by a specialist (Cardiologist). Our medical team will manage him accordingly today and we expect him to take part in full training tomorrow.”

“Frans suffered a contusion (hematoma) to his quad in the Currie Cup match for the Sharks against Western Province on Friday at Newlands. As a result he will not participate in the field session this afternoon.”

So whether either of the replacements are actually fit to be replacements, time will tell.

However, in positive news for the World Champs both 2007 IRB Player of the Year , wing Bryan Habana, and 2004 IRB Player of the Year, flank Schalk Burger are fit again and will be considered for selection after they were rested against Argentina as precaution.