Tana Umaga has provided an encouraging fitness update on Damian McKenzie ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park, saying the fullback is 'trending well' after spraining his ankle against the Sharks in Durban.
McKenzie has started all three Tests under Dave Rennie but was rated as doubtful following the tour match injury, with Rennie himself admitting the coaches were 'less confident' about his availability. Umaga's assessment on Tuesday was markedly more positive.
'He was sharp today. He got through what he needed to get through. So, he's trending well for a big one this weekend,' Umaga told reporters, emphatically ruling out the possibility that McKenzie had already been excluded from selection.
Rennie has separately confirmed that Cam Roigard — absent for all three tour matches through injury — is expected to be available for the Test. Will Jordan is also among those who had been managing a niggle heading into the week.
On the question of match sharpness, Umaga pushed back firmly against the narrative — amplified by former All Blacks head coach Sir Steve Hansen — that the Springboks are undercooked having last played a fortnight ago against Argentina. Umaga argued that the depth of experience within the Springbok squad negates any such advantage.
'This South African side has been together for a long time. They know what it takes to win big matches, and their game is very solid,' he said. 'I don't think there's much advantage in us having more games. We've played 44 players in those three games, so everyone's got a run around anyway.'