Jantjes joins Boks’ injury list

CONRAD JANTJES leads a worrying injury list for South Africa ahead of next month’s British and Irish Lions tour to the country.

The Stormers full-back, who was the main contender to wear the number 15 jersey, broke his leg during a Super 14 clash against the Chiefs at the weekend and has been ruled out for rest of the year.

“It is always upsetting when a player that is in the driving seat is injured,” said national coach Peter de Villiers. “The loss of Conrad is a blow to us and especially for him as it rules him out for some time.”

De Villiers is further hindered by the news that Jantjes’ possible replacement, Frans Steyn, has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with a knee injury. The Sharks utility-back underwent surgery yesterday to correct the problem, meaning he faces a race against time to be fit for the first Test against the Lions on June 20.

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers is another injury concern after missing the past three weeks with a groin problem, with his expected return likely to come against the Cheetahs in the final match of the season.

Another key player for the Springboks, flanker Schalk Burger, will miss the remaining two weeks of the season due to a calf injury.

Several other players, including Fourie du Preez (calf), Adrian Jacobs (shoulder) and Andries Bekker (rib), are all carrying niggles ahead of the arrival of the Lions in just over three weeks’ time.

De Villiers continued: “The fact that some of these players are currently beset by injury is a concern but I do not want to draw any conclusions until I have consulted with the respective medical teams and have a full understanding of the extent of each injury and the recovery prognosis.

“If we had picked our starting XV in March I would be concerned. But we agreed that we would take stock after the Super 14 and base our selection on the best available players in each position who we believe can take on the British and Irish Lions.”