World Cup winning loose forward Kwagga Smith says he's over a groin injury and ready to take on Ireland in July.
There were fears the Boks wouldn't have an experienced No 8 to call on for the Tests against Ireland in July.Double World Cup winner Kwagga Smith is ready to take on Ireland in the two Tests in July, he confirmed this week, according to Sunday newspapertake on Ireland on July 6 and 13 in Pretoria and Durna respectively, following the year’s opening Test against Wales at Twickenham on June 22.
While there were fears this week that the Boks would go into the two Ireland matches without an experienced No 8, Smith confirmed this week he will be ready to play after recently suffering a tendon injury in his groin area. Smith, who normally plays at flank, is also comfortable at eighthman and would have been viewed by coach Rassie Erasmus as the go-to man to wear the No 8 jersey in an emergency.And with Duane Vermeulen now retired from the game, following last year’s World Cup win in France, and Jasper Wiese copping a six-match ban this week for a dangerous tackle, there were concerns the Boks would have to pick a rookie No 8 against Ireland.
The Sale Sharks duo of Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez would also be candidates for the Boks in the loose-trio. Besides the banned Wiese, the Boks are certain to also be without Damien Willemse and Steven Kitshoff against Ireland, while there are concerns around the fitness of Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse and Lukhanyo Am.Kwagga Smith says Boks ready to go 100 minutes against All Blacks
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