Pillar Ox Nche, who started in the South African XV for the match against Australia on Saturday, injured a pectoral muscle and will be out of action for the entire Rugby Championship, the annual four-player tournament. major nations of the southern hemisphere, announced its federation (SAR) on Wednesday.
Nche, 27, of the Sharks, was injured on Tuesday and will not be able to play against Australia, then New Zealand on July 15 and Argentina on July 29, in a tournament reduced this year to three days because of the World Cup organized in France in the fall.
Steven Kitshoff will replace him in the South African front line against the Wallabies.
The SAR evokes “several weeks” of absence for Nche, while the Springboks must then play three test matches in August, as part of their preparation for the World Cup where they will defend their title acquired in Japan in 2019.
“We are particularly sad for Ox, who had worked hard in recent months, and whose contribution (to the South African group) is important, on and off the pitch,” reacted coach Jacques Nienaber in the SAR press release. .
South Africa will start its World Cup against Scotland on September 10, in a group B which also includes Ireland, winner of the 2023 Six Nations Tournament with the grand slam at stake, Romania and Tonga.
