This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
On September 23, 2019, the South African Springboks rugby team suffered a significant injury blow ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Prop Trevor Nyakane was forced to leave the field in the final minutes of their 23-13 defeat to New Zealand in Yokohama, Japan, after tearing his right calf muscle.
"It's very tough on Trevor," said coach Rassie Erasmus. "He has had a great season and added value whenever he took the field."
Coach Erasmus expressed sympathy for Nyakane, acknowledging the impact of the injury on both the player and the team.
"It's a blow to him and the team, but it's also an opportunity for Thomas du Toit and Vincent Koch to step up," Erasmus added.
Thomas du Toit, who was on short-term loan at Toulouse, France, was due to arrive in South Africa on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, to replace Nyakane in the squad.
The Springboks' next game is against Namibia in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, September 28, 2019.
