Boks sweating over injured quartet

The Boks, who moved into second place on the standings in the wake of an 18010 win over Australia in Pretoria at the weekend, face runaway leaders New Zealand in Durban in the sixth and final round of the competition.

Four players who left the field early as a result of injuries during the match were amongst the group of Springboks who underwent medical examinations at the team’s hotel in Pretoria on Sunday.

Wing Bryan Habana received a knock on the thigh and he will have another assessment on Monday in Durban.

Centre Jesse Kriel left the field with a groin niggle and he, too, will be assessed again in the coming week.

Meanwhile, lock Pieter- Steph du Toit is recovering well from a hard knock to the hip.

Scrumhalf Rudy Paige left the field with a concussion and the No.9 will have to complete the prescribed gradual return to play protocol.

"There are the obvious bumps and bruises after a typical hard Test match, but there will be continuous medical check-ups during the week," team doctor Jerome Mampane said about the remainder of the squad.

The Springboks travelled to Durban from Johannesburg on Sunday and they will start their preparations for the All Blacks encounter with a gym session on Monday.

Recalled flyhalf Morné Steyn kicked all the points for South Africa in the victory over Australia in Pretoria at the weekend.

Victory for the Springboks, who led 12-10 at half-time, snapped a three-match losing streak in a competition already won by New Zealand.

Steyn, starting in place of struggling Elton Jantjies, kicked four penalties and two drop-goals as South Africa rose to second in the standings with one round remaining.

By raising his overall penalty total for the Springboks to 149, Steyn moved one ahead of long-time record-holder Percy Montgomery.  

Australia have lost all seven Tests at Loftus Versfeld stadium and the latest defeat will be particularly bitter given the amount of second-half possession they enjoyed.