Springboks Hit by Another Injury Setback Ahead of Australia Tie After Siya Kolisi Blow
The Springboks have been hit with another major setback ahead of their highly anticipated clash against the Wallabies of Australia at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
The South African rugby national team will face the Wallabies in the second round of the Castle Lager Rugby Championships after losing the first round 38-22. Rassie Erasmus' side threw away a 22-0 lead to stumble to defeat at Ellis Park Stadium last weekend.
Erasmus provided an update on the injury issues the Springboks are facing ahead of the tie, which also includes an injury to captain Siya Kolisi. Jesse Kriel has been named the stand-in captain.
Willie le Roux ruled out of Australia clash
The Springboks need a win against Australia but will be without one of their key players, Willie le Roux, for the match on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The veteran fullback was initially selected to start the match in Cape Town against the Wallabies but was withdrawn from the team on Friday.
Le Roux, who recently became South African rugby’s latest Test centurion, is said to have picked up a minor injury during his training ahead of the tie. The coaching crew decided not to risk him for the game.
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According to a report, Aphelele Fassi has replaced the veteran in the starting lineup. Le Roux and Kolisi are not the only injury concerns the Springboks are facing ahead of the game. The management was forced to replace loosehead prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels last week after he suffered a knock in training. He was replaced by Boan Venter.
The Springboks released an official statement confirming Willie le Roux's injury and announcing that Aphelele Fassi would replace him in the starting lineup.
"Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback in the Springboks’ second Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town on Saturday, following the withdrawal of Willie le Roux due to a niggle," the statement reads.
The news of Le Roux's injury sparked mixed reactions from fans on social media.
Reactions as Le Roux withdraws from Australia tie
C_that said:
"Rassie's new mind games. Give the starting XV and make a change or 2 at the last minute."
mzuzups wrote:
"maybe Aphelele was always going to start, its Rassie's mind games."
Bracken_132 shared:
"Why does rassie keep flogging 30+ old players, this is the him giving young players a chance with less than 2 years until the world cup."
Hansie Lategan responded:
"Sorry for Willie. Fassi may be the better player, but we need the organizing and cool head Willie brings to the game to settle the fiasco of last week. Once we have the structure working again, we can let the young guns loose again."
AneleT2 reacted:
"If Fassie didn’t play ..poor Ox 🐂 was gonna be the only Black player in this African national rugby team💁🏾♂️."
Ravi Gajjar commented:
"Fassi’s name will be welded into Springbok history. I’m am so excited to watch this guy progress."
CPT_ROB added:
"No stress. Honorable Willie has passed the torch to Fassi and he is already COOKING."
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Source: Briefly News
