Rassie Erasmus expects Ox Nche to miss Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld after the prop injured his knee during the 45-21 win over England, and faces significant further selection headaches with Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen all uncertain.
"I think Ox will be out, that's my gut feeling," Erasmus said. "Seeing a guy like Ox when he says he can't go on, then there's something not great." Scans will determine the extent of the damage.
Kolisi, who withdrew before the England match, will have scans on Sunday. Erasmus indicated a grade one injury gives the captain a chance — recovery runs to around 10 days — while a grade two would rule him out for the week. Etzebeth, absent against England following an early-week head knock, may yet be available depending on symptoms. Esterhuizen took a concussion in the game itself, and Erasmus was unsure what protocol category that would fall under.
The lock stocks are stretched thin. With Etzebeth out, Ruan Nortje was the only specialist lock in the squad against England. Erasmus noted eight locks are currently unavailable through injury, a list that includes RG Snyman, Franco Mostert — another two weeks away — and Riley Norton. Lood de Jager is potentially nearing a return, while Vincent Tshituka remains available.