Carr, Adriaanse to stay on Bok tour
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee on Thursday confirmed that flank Nizaam Carr and prop Lourens Adriaanse will remain with the Bok squad for the entire Outgoing Tour as replacements for Jaco Kriel and Jannie du Plessis respectively.
Kriel injured his knee while playing club rugby in Japan and has already returned to Johannesburg for treatment. He will be out of action for up to eight weeks.
The experienced Du Plessis has withdrawn from the Springbok squad because of personal reasons. His wife will be giving birth to the couple’s third child in early November. He was due to join the Springboks in London in two weeks’ time to prepare for the Test against England at Twickenham on 12 November.
“Jannie and I had a good conversation on Wednesday evening and he still has a burning desire to be part of the Springboks. However, due to his current personal circumstances, he unfortunately had to withdraw from the squad,” said Coetzee.
“Jannie has a wealth of experience, he still has a lot to offer and he stays part of our plans. I want to wish him and his wife well as they are looking forward to welcome a third addition to their family.”
Carr, the versatile DHL Western Province loose forward, and the Cell C Sharks’ Adriaanse will now stay on with the squad to face England, Italy and Wales on consecutive weekends following next Saturday’s international against the Barbarians at Wembley.
Carr made his Springbok debut on 22 November 2014 against Italy in Padova and has two Test caps. Adriaanse has played in four Tests thus far and was a member of the 2016 Castle Lager Rugby Championship squad.
The Springboks will have their final training session on home soil on Friday morning before flying out to London in the early evening.