Cameron Hanekom will join the Springbok squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship despite carrying a lower back complaint that forced him off at halftime in the Bulls' 54-26 URC win over the Scarlets at Loftus on Saturday.
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann confirmed the 24-year-old played through the pain in the first half before the medical team intervened at the break. With Marcell Coetzee available and fit, Ackermann opted to withdraw Hanekom rather than risk aggravating the injury.
"He struggled a little bit with his lower back quite early in the game," Ackermann said. "We asked to push him until halftime, and credit to him, he hung in there. At halftime the medical team wanted to treat him, and I just felt that we don't need that — we've got Marcell, so let's just make it a straight swap to protect him. He was battling with his lower back."
Coetzee made the most of the opportunity, scoring two tries after coming on and helping the Bulls repel a late Scarlets rally.
Hanekom featured in three of the four Greatest Rivalry Tests against the All Blacks and has been one of the more consistent performers in the green and gold this season. Erasmus will be monitoring his recovery ahead of next week's first Test against Italy.