Stormers scrumhalf Louis Schreuder has been called up to the Springbok squad in the place of the injured Francois Hougaard.
The uncapped Schreuder is the second scrumhalf replacement in the Springbok squad in three days, following Piet van Zyl’s call-up for Jano Vermaak, who injured his hamstring in the 44-10 victory over Italy in Durban last Saturday.
Hougaard was sent for scans and a specialist opinion in Pretoria on Tuesday to assess a knee injury he picked up during Super Rugby, which flared up again during training in Hazyview on Monday.
He felt some discomfort and mild swelling in his right knee and was withdrawn from the afternoon training session.
The specialist opinion was that Hougaard be withdrawn from the squad currently preparing for the second Test in the Incoming Series, on Saturday against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
“At this stage Francois doesn’t require surgery but will be re-evaluated in two weeks’ time to see if the injury has settled sufficiently for him to resume playing,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts.
“Losing two No 9s in such a short space of time is obviously a setback, but I’ve always rated Piet van Zyl and Louis Schreuder as two of the best young scrumhalves in South Africa,” said Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer.
“Piet’s attitude has been fantastic since he joined us on Sunday and he’s worked hard on the training field and off it, making sure he gets to know and understand our plays as quickly as possible.
“He’s been playing great rugby for the Cheetahs and I have a lot of confidence in him.
“Although Louis has not officially been part of our set-up yet, he has helped out at two of our training camps in Cape Town before, so coming into the squad will not be all new to him,” said Meyer.
The team to play Scotland at Mbombela Stadium this weekend will be named on Wednesday afternoon.
What about Cobus Reinach HM??? He is a lot more in the vein of Vermaak, Hougie and Van Zyl – all 3 hassle and boss at scrum time, they are fast to and off rucks and have the ability to break the line.
Schreuder is slow, is always shouting at the ref instead of getting the ball out of a ruck or even putting it into the scrum – and i don’t think i have ever seen him make a sniping breaking run off the back of a ruck.
In reality with 2 tests left in series it is unlikely that a whoever was called up would be needed, there is still a possibility that Hougaard would be available to be selected on bench for the last test.
I think HM’s comment that he has helped out at 2 previous training camps says it all, Louis will fit into straight training drills etc and be able to assist match day 23 prepare from the minute he arrives, without having to be bought up to speed etc which would be the case with insert one of Kockot, Pretorious, McCleod, Duvenhage etc
He is joining the squad 3 days before a test so really just there to participate in training drills and preparation no more.
Cobus Reinach is injured, however I would have thought Charl and Sarel were above the pekking order in terms of talented scrumhalfs in SA. I would even call up kokett from france before Schreuder.. Bad call – we must just pray ruan and piet dont get injured this week..