Cheslin Kolbe: Springboks Star Ruled Out of Final Test Against All Blacks in US
- Springbok fullback Cheslin Kolbe suffered a broken jaw during Saturday's Test match at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg
- All Blacks captain Ardie Savea left the field with a shoulder injury in the 30th minute and has been ruled out of the Baltimore clash
- Both players will miss the fourth and potentially series-deciding Test next Saturday in the United States
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Two of rugby's most influential players have been ruled out of the fourth Test in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, scheduled for next Saturday in Baltimore, USA, after suffering injuries during the Springboks' 29-24 victory over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Springbok fullback Cheslin Kolbe was forced off the field as early as the ninth minute following a head injury assessment (HIA) and did not return. It was confirmed after the final whistle that he had sustained a broken jaw, ending his involvement in the series at a critical stage.
Savea's double can't save his place in the Squad
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea also departed the match prematurely, walking off in the 30th minute with a shoulder injury. Despite crossing the try line twice during the Johannesburg encounter, Savea has since been ruled out of the Baltimore fixture and will not travel to the United States with his squad.
New Zealand now faces the daunting task of salvaging a 2-2 series draw without their skipper, as the All Blacks trail in the four-match series. Savea's absence is a significant blow to the visitors' leadership and ball-carrying depth ahead of what amounts to a series decider.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Kolbe ruled out of the Baltimore decider
For the Springboks, losing Kolbe to a broken jaw is a considerable setback in the back three, where his pace and aerial ability have been central to their attacking structure throughout the series.
The fourth Test in Baltimore next Saturday now takes shape without two of the competition's standout performers, raising questions about how both coaching staff will reshape their match-day squads for the final fixture.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus revealed that Cheslin Kolbe, who left the field with an injury in the first half, had fractured his jaw and will not make the trip to the USA.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
