Handré Pollard hamstring adds to Springbok injuries before end-of-year tour

Handré Pollard is the latest Springbok to get hurt with the end-of-year tour close. The flyhalf pulled up with a hamstring injury in the second half of the Bulls' United Rugby Championship match against Ulster, and his name joins a list that keeps growing.

The Bulls won 34-26 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 24 October, but they lost three backs along the way. Pollard went off in the 70th minute. Centre Sango Xamlashe was concussed and carried off on a stretcher before the hour mark, then taken to hospital for further assessment. Wing Cheswill Jooste failed a head injury assessment.

Johan Ackermann said the flyhalf's injury was the bigger worry. "It’s all head knocks, and it’s probably Handré’s that’s the bigger one. It’s a hamstring, and time will tell how long that’s going to be," he said, adding: "It’s been a while since we had so many casualties".

Springbok wing Canan Moodie is also not yet in the clear. He is working through concussion return-to-play protocols and was due to be reassessed on Monday 26 October.

A long list for the Springboks

Pollard's injury came in a weekend that was hard on Springbok players around the country. The South African reported that Andre Esterhuizen hurt his ankle playing for the Sharks on Friday 23 October, and it looked serious. A day later, in the Stormers' match against the Scarlets, Deon Fourie hurt his hamstring and André-Hugo Venter hurt his elbow. Fourie had been expected to go on tour with the Springboks.

Some players had already been ruled out. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson confirmed that Cheslin Kolbe will miss the end-of-year tour while his broken jaw heals. Eben Etzebeth's fitness is in doubt, and Frans Malherbe, Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman are all sidelined.