Springboks another team with injury concerns
Thu, 15 Sep 2011 6:40p.m.
Bakkies Botha recovered quickly from his achilles injury
By Ross Karl
A week ago there were questions whether Bakkies Botha would play at all at this Rugby World Cup.
However, the Springboks lock has quickly recovered from an achilles strain and will now start in an injury depleted side against Fiji.
Injured Boks are causing a few selection headaches.
Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield and Jean de Villiers presented the Red Cross with a jersey to auction for Christchurch.
But Botha gave the selectors some relief by recovering from an achilles injury to replace Matfield against Fiji.
“I still feel a little bit of stiffness. It's a bit like an old farm vehicle in the morning; it smokes a bit but when you drive it half an hour around then it's hot then it can go,” says Botha.
Botha only resumed running two days ago.
Coach Peter de Villiers insists Matfield's hamstring problem has not forced his hand on Botha.
“We never take risks with players especially when their life is at stake.
“Any player that is on that list there does have a niggle. You can go through the whole World Cup, every team will have niggles.”
Habana's knee injury brings Odwa Ndungane onto the wing, while de Villiers' rib issue means Pat Lambie's at fullback and super boot François Steyn moves to second five.
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