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Habana facing uphill fitness race

Monday 18th August 2008

Jongi Nokwe: Another chance for the Boks?

South Africa have suffered a further setback to their slim Tri-Nations hopes with the news that star wing Bryan Habana is expected to miss Saturday's fixture against Australia.

The Blue Bulls player was forced from the field early in the second-half of the rather one-sided Newlands loss to New Zealand last week.

And it was revealed on Monday that he has suffered a "grade one tear of the hamstring", which is expected to rule him out for ten days.

However, the Springboks are refusing to give up hope on the finisher being ready in time for the Wallabies and are expected to be working hard on his recovery process.

Coach Peter de Villiers is already without talismanic lock Bakkies Botha for the remainder of the tournament so the loss of Habana would be another significant blow.

There is better news for the Boks though regarding hooker Bismarck du Plessis and Danie Rossouw, who are expected to be fit for the Wallabies encounter.

Sharks utility-back Ruan Pienaar and Jongi Nokwe have also joined the squad this week with both likely to feature in the match-day 22.

"The Sharks have a bye in the Currie Cup this coming weekend and seeing that Ruan has been part of the squad for the greater part of this season, we thought it would make sense for us to involve him again," explained Andy Marinos, the Manager of National Teams.

Meanwhile, flank Juan Smith, who returned home immediately after the match against the All Blacks on Saturday to visit his wife and newborn baby girl, rejoined the squad late Monday evening.