Royal blow for Baby Boks
Wing Sergeal Petersen was on Monday withdrawn from the South Africa Under-20 Junior World Championship (JWC) squad because of a hamstring injury.
Petersen sustained the injury during a Super Rugby match between the Southern Kings and the Waratahs. Former South African Schools utility back Jessie Kriel (Blue Bulls) will replace Petersen and is set to join the squad on Tuesday morning in Stellenbosch.
“Sergeal underwent a MRI scan today and it was confirmed that he still has significant structural damage to his hamstring. He will require rehabilitation for a further three to four weeks, which rules him out of the JWC pools matches,” explained Dr Phato Zondi, the South Africa Under-20 team doctor.
Dawie Theron, the South Africa Under-20 coach, described the withdrawal as a major disappointment for the team.
“Sergeal is such a talented player and he was really looking forward to play for the Junior Springboks. We all feel gutted for him and want to wish him a speedy recovery,” said Theron.
The Junior Springboks travel on Thursday to France.
