Fourie joins Springboks squad amid Kolisi injury concerns
By Theo BrennanWorld Cup-winning forward Deon Fourie has rejoined the Springboks squad, a move prompted by his strong return to play with the Stormers and concerns over captain Siya Kolisi’s hamstring injury. This development comes as the Springboks prepare for their upcoming four-Test series against the All Blacks, adding depth to their forward pack while potentially addressing a critical leadership gap.
Fourie, 39, demonstrated his readiness for international duty during the Stormers' 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' opener against the All Blacks. His inclusion follows his first appearance since the 2023 World Cup final, where he featured in the Springboks' victory over New Zealand.
Fourie's timely return boosts Boks
Fourie, who can play both in the back row and at hooker, made an impactful comeback in the Stormers' recent loss to the All Blacks. This performance led to his call-up to the Springboks camp in Johannesburg this week Fourie added to Rassie Erasmus' squad, joining 26 players returning from South America, along with key figures such as Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse.
The veteran's return provides valuable experience and versatility, having earned 13 Test caps since his 2022 debut. His last Test appearance was in the 2023 World Cup final.
Kolisi's hamstring injury raises concerns
Captain Siya Kolisi sustained a hamstring injury during the Springboks' 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires. This injury immediately raised fears for the upcoming series, particularly as Kolisi missed the entire Nations Championship campaign in July due to a previous hamstring issue.
Kolisi confirmed the injury post-match to ESPN Scrum, stating, “I hurt my hamstring again, unfortunately. So, I’ll go for a scan and see how far it is.” He expressed resignation about the situation, acknowledging there was nothing more he could do until the scan results were known.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus indicated the injury was to the “other hamstring” and appeared less severe than initially thought “doesn’t look too bad”. However, the incident still leaves Erasmus and the team with a significant worry ahead of the crucial series opener at Ellis Park on August 22. Fans can find more international rugby news on our site international rugby news, including coverage of Springboks, Ireland, and All Blacks poised for top World Rugby rankings All Blacks, Ireland poised for top World.