South African prop Ox Nche has returned to the squad’s side but is at risk of another four weeks on the sidelines, making his appearance in the Rugby World Cup in doubt as two other injured key players remain on track with their rehabilitation.
Nche suffered a pectoral muscle injury before the Rugby Championship 43-12 victory over Australia in Pretoria two weeks ago, and Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber admitted on Thursday he could be out for “almost” another month.
Fly-half Handre Pollard and captain Siya Kolisi are at this stage still on track to recover from injuries when South Africa play Argentina, Wales and New Zealand in their World Cup warm-up matches in August.
“Handre and Siya are on the road to recovery and if all goes well, it is hoped that they will be able to participate in the preparation matches for the Rugby World Cup. We can’t predict for sure when they’ll be back, but what I can say is we won’t rush them,” Nienaber told reporters. “These three players have already done the job for us and we know they will be able to come back from injury and play.”
Pollard and Kolisi were mainstays when the Boks lifted the World Cup trophy in Japan four years ago, but Nche was not selected for this tournament.
A victory in their final Rugby Championship match of the year at home to Argentina on July 29 will give South Africa a chance to win the competition, but they will likely need Australia to beat New Zealand in Melbourne.
The Boks begin their 2023 World Cup campaign against Scotland in Marseille on September 10.
