South Africa’s World Cup title defense suffered a significant blow on Thursday when hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a long-term knee injury sustained in training. After naming only two out-and-out hookers – Marx and Bongi Mbonambi – in their 33-man squad for the showpiece in France, the Springboks were already light at the position. Marx, a key member of last year’s team that lifted the Webb Ellis Cup, was hurt during a contact drill and is not expected to play again.
He came off the bench in South Africa’s opening win over Scotland but had been expected to start at least one more game before his injury – possibly even the final against England. The Springboks’ other hooker, Mbonambi, also limped out of the opening match against England with a foot injury and was not fully fit for Sunday’s Pool B match against Romania in Bordeaux.
Coach Jacques Nienaber delayed naming a replacement in the squad but insists they have enough cover at hooker, with loose forwards Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden both able to fill that role and front-row positions. The Stormers’ Joseph Dweba has been on standby, but Nienaber has not yet called him in.
The Springboks tee off their World Cup campaign against minnows Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday and then take on Ireland the following week. They hope to have lock Eben Etzebeth back in time for the latter fixture, having had a shoulder injury during the win over Scotland that got their campaign off to a winning start.
Mbonambi automatically ascends to the No. 2 shirt in Marx’s absence, but there is little reason to think he can put in 80-minute shifts for six Test matches without risking further damage to his knees. It is a risk that cannot be taken, particularly in a World Cup where the Springboks face a tough challenge to reach the semi-finals for a sixth straight time.
It may be tempting to recall flyhalf Handre Pollard or center Lukhanyo Am for their second appearances at the World Cup, but neither of those players is quite ready for such a big ask. Both are currently working on the return from injuries that have kept them out of action for 16 weeks, and they will need a minimum of 10 days to be fully prepared for the demands of their positions. That is a tall order for either of them, particularly Pollard, who would be pushed to his limit by the physical and mental demands of playing at this level. It is a risk that will likely not pay off for the Boks.
