Confirmed: Springbok Malcolm Marx out of World Cup after suffering knee injury

Marx was sent for scans on an injury picked up in training on Wednesday.

HUGE LOSS: South Africa’s Malcolm Marx with George Turner and Jack Dempsey of Scotland. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

South Africa have confirmed that hooker Malcolm Marx has suffered a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the Sprinboks' tilt at retaining their World Cup crown.

Marx was sent for scans on the knee injury picked up in training on Wednesday, and the worst fears have since been confirmed.

Marx, one of two specialist hookers in the squad along with Bongi Mbonambi, was never going to be involved in Sunday’s second Pool B game against minnows Romania but the Springboks are worried about his availability for remainder of the tournament in France.

South Africa do not have a third specialist hooker in the squad, with regular loose forwards Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden nominated cover.

The Stormers' Joseph Dweba was placed on standby when the squad was announced last month, but the Springboks insist they have “sufficient cover at hooker within the squad, he will not be replaced in the squad at this stage.”

Fourie will be on the bench against Romania with Mbonambi starting the game.

Meanwhile, lock Eben Etzebeth left last weekend’s 18-3 victory over Scotland due to a shoulder issue.

Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said Etzebeth was likely to be out for seven to 10 days but should return for the crunch group game against world number one Ireland at Stade de France on Sept. 23.

Reuters