Rassie Erasmus dealt massive first blow as Springbok coach

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was dealt his first massive blow following the news that Malcolm Marx won’t be able to feature in the Test series against England next month.

The Lions’ medical staff on Wednesday confirmed that the star hooker’s hamstring injury – sustained last weekend against the Hurricanes – will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks.

One ray of hope though is that Marx, South Africa’s current player-of-the-year, won’t require surgery for a “tendon tear”.

It means there’s a possibility that the 23-year-old could still feature for the Lions in the Super Rugby playoff.

Marx’s absence leaves the Springbok setup without hookers of proven class unless Erasmus can convince Adriaan Strauss to undo his international retirement from 2016.

Strauss has been in excellent form for the Bulls under John Mitchell.

The experienced Bismarck du Plessis, playing for Montpellier in France, is another option though he hasn’t played international rugby for more than two years.

Locally, the Stormers’ Ramone Samuels has made a decent impression while Akker van der Merwe and Chiliboy Ralepelle have been rotated at the Sharks.

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