JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber yesterday slammed suggestions that one of the 33 players chosen for the Rugby World Cup would fake an injury to include ace fly-half Handre Pollard as a late replacement.
Pollard, a mainstay of the 2019 World Cup triumph in Japan, was a shock omission from the Springboks’ squad for France as he is not fully fit after a calf injury. Centre Lukhanyo Am and lock Lood de Jager were also ruled out of the September 8-October 28 tournament.
All three left Johannesburg with the World Cup squad yesterday as the Springboks continue preparations for their title defence. The reigning champions play warm-up matches against Wales in Cardiff on August 19 and New Zealand in London on August 25.
Nienaber told a press conference at a Johannesburg airport that, “There are lots of rumours about our injured players.
“But if you have a heart, how do you pick a guy and then tell him to fake an injury and get the other guy in? We would never do that.”
“We have not given our squad to World Rugby yet – that only has to be in on August 21 – but I’m not sure other teams have either.
“We are all playing warm-up games and history tells you that you normally lose one or two players. But if there are no more injuries, then the 33-man squad that we have named will be going to the World Cup.”
