Springboks Rocked by Setback to Star Player, As Rassie Erasmus Names Surprise Replacement

• Springboks have suffered yet another major setback ahead of their all-important Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand
• Coach Rassie Erasmus had to name a replacement after one of the players included in his squad pulled out
• The replacement named sparked reactions from South African rugby fans as they expected him to be in the squad from get go

The Springboks have been hit with a major setback ahead of their mouthwatering clash with the All Blacks of New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.

Rassie Erasmus has named his squad for the tie, with Siya Kolisi, who missed the second round of the Springboks’ tie against Australia due to injury, returning to the team.

The South African rugby team is looking to continue their strong record against the All Blacks, but they will have to do so without some of their top players.

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Springboks suffer major setback ahead of All Blacks tie

The Springboks announced on Sunday that, in a surprise turn, hooker Bongi Mbonambi did not travel with the team earlier this week, having remained in South Africa to deal with family matters.

Mbonambi was initially included in the squad travelling to New Zealand by Erasmus, but he will no longer face the All Blacks, just like Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who failed doping tests.

Erasmus has decided to replace Mbonambi with two-time Rugby World Cup winner Faf de Klerk. The 33-year-old will join Morne van den Berg, Cobus Reinach, and Grant Williams as scrumhalf options for their first match against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland.

The Springboks released an official statement on their website to confirm the inclusion of Faf de Klerk in the squad as a replacement for Mbonambi.

"Experienced scrumhalf Faf de Klerk will join the Springboks in New Zealand for the second leg of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign against the All Blacks, where they will play matches in Auckland and Wellington, as additional cover in the key position," the statement reads.

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"De Klerk’s inclusion in the squad increases the size of the group currently preparing for the first Test in Auckland to 36 players, after Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi remained behind in South Africa earlier this week to attend to family matters."

De Klerk's addition to the squad sparked different reactions from netizens on social media.

Sam Glazer said:

"Our best scrumhalf. Why was he not on the plane to begin with? Budget constraints?"

AgentLeon wrote:

"He should have been there in the 1st place."

Clibo One reacted:

"When you're expecting a dog fight, you send in your bankable duo 💪💪"

Sophia shared:

"Start him please 🙏🏽, he knows the AB's better than all the guys you have in the squad. And Grant on the bench."

Pieter Roos commented:

"Great stuff! Go Faffie! If you're good enough, you're never too old or young."

Ashley Pieterse added:

"Good move. Faf and Pollard play well together. We need a win in Eden Park and it won't be easy. The experienced players are the go-to guys. All Blacks were terrible under the high ball against Argentina. Expect a bunch of box kicks from Faf and up and unders from Pollard in NZ."

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Erasmus states why Boks are motivate to beat All Blacks

Briefly News also reported that Erasmus explained why Springboks are motivated to beat All Blacks in New Zealand in their Rugby Championship clash.

The Boks head coach is anticipating their match against their bitter rivals in September.

Source: Briefly News