Boks sweating over Burger, Habana
Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:26
Concerns: Schalk Burger suffered another neck injury
South Africa were left counting the cost of a bruising loss to Australia in their Tri-Nations Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth at the weekend.
Unable to produce a try, the Springboks suffered a surprise 9-16 defeat at the hands of the Wallabies and emerged from the clash with fresh injury worries over star flank Schalk Burger (neck) and speedy wing Bryan Habana (shoulder).
The 'Boks went into the Test at the weekend without captain John Smit, whose Tri-Nations is over after groin surgery, and outside centre Adrian Jacobs (hamstring), and there were plenty of sore bodies on their bench by the final hooter.
Of the most concern were Burger, who left the field early in the second half, and Habana, who hurt his left shoulder as he attempted to dive across the line for a try late in the game.
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers said the pair would be assessed over the next few days, but the South Africans do have the luxury of almost a month to prepare for their next Tri-Nations match.
"We made two injury replacements," he said.
"Schalk has a neck injury at the moment and we are looking at it, so we can't comment on it.
"Bryan hurt his shoulder in the game.
"We will go through that and on Monday we will have a report on the injuries."
The brilliant Habana was noticeably bothered by the left shoulder injury when he appeared at the post-match press conference.
He sustained the injury in a tackle by Ryan Cross as he attempted to ground the ball for a try in the 66th minute.
The South Africans finished their arduous three-week tour with one win, their thrilling 30-28 victory over the All Blacks in Dunedin, from three Tests, plus a bonus point secured against the Wallabies.
De Villiers said his team was looking forward to getting home and regrouping ahead of their next Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks at Newlands on August 16.
"One out of three is not bad, but it is not what we wanted," he said.
"We're not very satisfied with our tour because we came here to try and win all our games.
"But now we can go back home and build on that."
AFP
