Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he is still finalising his list of players to be on standby during the upcoming World Cup in Japan.
The Springboks announced their official 31-man squad for the World Cup in Johannesburg on Monday. However, there were still question marks over which players would be on standby should the Boks pick up any injuries during the tournament.
With only the two playoff rounds of the Currie Cup remaining and Western Province and the Vodacom Bulls already out of the competition, several Springboks are negotiating short-term loans at European clubs to stay fit during the World Cup.
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Tighthead prop Wilco Louw has already sealed a loan to Top 14 giants Toulouse and Lizo Gqoboka has joined Montpellier in a similar capacity, while flyhalf Damian Willemse has been linked with a loan to Premiership title-holders Saracens.
Erasmus explained that he is still waiting to see how a couple of players progress in the Currie Cup and whether a few more Springboks can secure loan moves before he names his standby list.
‘I really would like to be as honest with you guys as possible,’ Erasmus said following the squad announcement. ‘It is such a dynamic thing at this stage. There might be another three or four names added. I just want to find out about a few injuries and see how the Currie Cup games are going this weekend.
‘There are a few guys who we are asking to go and play overseas so they can keep on playing and stay fit. The Province guys have fallen out now, so you can imagine a guy who plays for Province is on the standby list but he hasn’t been playing rugby. It is great that some of their guys are going to be loaned out overseas so they can stay fit.
‘The moment it is official, a list will be sent out and you will know who is on standby.’
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The Springboks travel to Japan on Friday and will open their World Cup campaign against the All Blacks on 21 September in Yokohama.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
