South Africa first-five Handre Pollard will miss the Rugby Championship with a calf injury, as director of rugby Rassie Erasmus concedes the loss of his first-choice No.10 was a "worry" before the World Cup in France, starting September.
Pollard was instrumental for the Springboks, when they were crowned world champions for the third time in Japan four years ago, and his absence for their title defence would be a heavy blow.
Erasmus hopes Pollard will return for warm-up fixtures against Wales and New Zealand in August.
"Handre is a bit of a worry," Erasmus said. "It's a tricky situation, because it's a calf injury that he's re-injured.
"A re-injury always has us a bit more nervous."
Better news for the Boks is the return to fitness of versatile back Damian Willemse, who can cover flyhalf, centre and fullback.
Manie Libbok and Elton Jantjies are the other two in the squad who can play at 10, but all three lack the precise boot of Pollard and are better with the ball in hand, which does not necessarily suit the Boks style.
Pollard will sit out the Rugby Championship, along with captain Siya Kolisi, who is recovering from a knee injury.
"We want Handre to recover fully, because you don't want to push him too early," Erasmus said. "His timeframe is now like Siya's - we're hoping they both return either against Argentina in South America, or the Wales and New Zealand [World Cup] warm-ups."
The Boks are preparing for their Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Pretoria on July 8.
Reuters
