Springboks Suffer Injury Blow as Key Players Sidelined After Freedom Cup Win
- Springboks dominate All Blacks in Wellington, claiming a historic 43-10 Freedom Cup victory
- Key players sidelined by injuries, raising questions ahead of upcoming Rugby Championship matches
- Erasmus praises team depth and adaptability, highlighting standout performances and strategic halftime adjustments
South Africa retained the Freedom Cup on Saturday, 13 September, with a commanding 43-10 victory over long-time rivals New Zealand in Wellington.
The emphatic win served as sweet revenge for the Springboks, who had narrowly lost the first match at Eden Park a week earlier, 24-17.
Source: Getty Images
Head coach Rassie Erasmus made significant changes to the starting lineup for the clash, a move that clearly paid off. However, the victory came at a cost, with several key players forced off the field due to injuries.
Who are the injured players?
Lock Lood de Jager and fullback Aphelele Fassi were both withdrawn during the match, and Erasmus confirmed that the severity of their injuries will only be determined after further medical evaluations.
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Other players who left the field included Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cheslin Kolbe, and Cobus Reinach, with only Reinach returning after passing his Head Injury Assessment (HIA).
Despite the injuries, Erasmus praised the team’s adaptability.
“We do have a couple of injuries, which we do not know the extent of yet, but the two that appear to be serious are Lood and Aphelele,” he said.
Take a look at Rassie talking after the win over the All Blacks.
When asked whether Saturday’s team represented a “different Springboks,” Erasmus highlighted that the adjustments were necessary and largely player-driven during halftime.
Comparing the weekend’s side to the one that fell short in Wellington the previous week, Erasmus downplayed the contrast, noting the depth of South Africa’s squad.
“The guys who played today certainly raised their hands, but we also have excellent players who weren’t on the field. We’re proud of the entire group,” he added.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi echoed Erasmus’ positive view of the team’s performance against the All Blacks, noting that the players concentrated fully on their responsibilities throughout the game.
Kolisi highlighted the trust that the coaches placed in the players, explaining that they were given the freedom to express themselves on the field rather than being restricted by rigid instructions.
He also mentioned that the team was encouraged not to fear mistakes, after making many in the previous game, emphasising the importance of following their game plans and maintaining self-belief.
Source: Getty Images
When is the Springboks' next match?
The Springboks returned to South Africa on Sunday, 14 September, and will have a brief period to rest before regrouping in Durban on Thursday to prepare for the next Rugby Championship match.
South Africa will host Argentina at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban on 27 September, before facing them again at Twickenham on 4 October.
Rassie Erasmus pays tribute to late Springbok Bevin Fortuin
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has paid tribute to the late fullback Bevin Fortuin, who passed away on Thursday, 11 September 2025.
Fortuin earned two caps for the Springboks, debuting against Ireland in 2006 and featuring against Australia during the 2007 Tri-Nations series.
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Source: Briefly News
