SOUTH Africa are hopeful captain Eben Etzebeth will be fit to face Italy in Padova on Saturday as under-pressure coach Allister Coetzee hinted he would select his strongest possible team to avoid another demoralising defeat.
Giant lock Etzebeth was forced off in the final stages of Saturday’s slender 18-17 victory over France in Paris after receiving a blow to his lower leg, but x-rays revealed no substantial damage.
“The X-rays we did on Sunday all came out normal. We expect it just to be a soft-tissue injury and will manage it accordingly. He has a good chance of playing on Saturday,”
Springbok team doctor Konrad von Hagen told reporters on Monday.
Coetzee will have extra depth at lock and among the loose forwards this week, with the return to training of the versatile Pieter-Steph du Toit after a concussion received in the record 38-3 loss to Ireland in the opening match of the tour.
Another defeat for Coetzee could well end his reign as coach, meaning there will be no rest for his top players this week.
South Africa complete their tour against Wales in Cardiff on 2 December. – REUTERS