Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse could be unavailable for longer than initially anticipated.
Arendse picked up a hamstring injury in the Ellis Park loss to Australia last month and was initially expected to return to the Bok fold for the double-header against Argentina at Kings Park and Twickenham.
But according to reports, the Bulls medical team says Arendse also picked up a knee injury which will delay his return by another two weeks. It won’t require surgery.
Rapport quotes a source saying Arendse “is not definitely out of the Argentina series, but he is likely to miss it due to the knee injury. We’ll see shortly how quickly he recovers.”
The 27-Test flyer has been missed by the Boks in the subsequent Tests against the Wallabies in Cape Town and Saturday’s 24-17 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park. Canan Moodie – who has almost exclusively been used as a centre by coach Rassie Erasmus – has been deputising at wing in Arendse’s absence.
There is, however, some good news on the selection front.
No 8 Jasper Wiese’s four-match suspension for headbutting an Italian player is now over and he is eligible for selection for Saturday’s must-win clash against the All Blacks in Wellington.
