Springbok blows as Wiese banned, Willemse, Am injured / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP
-
China's Yu, 13, wins third gold with latest Asian Games record
-
China's Xi heads to US for talks with Trump: state media
-
UK says will revisit Chagos deal after latest Trump criticism
-
Azerbaijan pardons Frenchman after EU lifts sanctions on oligarchs
-
In first, French presidential candidate gives birth during campaign
-
Hadjar extends Red Bull contract for 2027 F1 season
-
Cambodia no 'safe haven' for cyberscams, PM says
-
Black Sea drone attacks spell terror for Turkish sailors
-
North Korea weightlifter sets three world records for Asian Games gold
-
Canada judge to decide prison term for suicide poison seller
-
A Full Moon for Every Child: STARTRADER's STARCARES Brings Support to SOS Children's Village Ho Chi Minh City
-
Weinstein faces resentencing in New York for 2006 sex assault
-
Meta leans into AI, smart glasses amid privacy pushback
-
Outgoing UN chief makes climate push at New York summit
-
Battered Duerer masterpiece up for five-year revamp
-
AI risks, Iran war to take center stage at UN
-
Trump met with Venezuela's interim leader at UN
-
Badminton no.1 An tells dad to keep it down at Asian Games
-
Malaysia furore after Najib wins conditional house arrest
-
Runaway leader Antonelli eyeing third straight win
-
Italy hope for new dawn under Mancini
-
Schoolgirl Yu, 13, fastest again in bid for third Asian Games gold
-
Mongolian herders enlist new tech against harsher, drier climate
-
Oil prices fall after Trump hails 'good' talks with Iran
-
Tata turmoil shines light on India succession woes
-
AI political ads warp reality ahead of US midterms
-
World Cup 'not enough' as Spain begin next chapter
-
Kenneth Branagh embraces action hero role -- to get in shape
-
Meta acts against 3.7 mn scammers' accounts with Singapore police help
-
'New one' Klopp promises fresh approach as Germany reign begins
-
Australia PM says draft social media rules about taking back control
-
Milne returns to New Zealand squad for India T20 series
-
SmartVendor Brings Autonomous Retail to the Czech Parliament; Clears Europe's Toughest Privacy Bar with SHEKEL WeightAI(TM)
-
Voting opens in Alaska's annual Fat Bear Week
-
US-led Americas coalition backs sanctions against crime groups
-
MLS coach axed for telling female ref 'It's a man's game'
-
'Star Wars' fans and art lovers line up for new Lucas museum
-
US refuses to give Sudan's de facto leader visa for UN
-
Trump renames AI 'super intelligence' as leaders jostle over dangers
-
Man City hold Bayern to start Women's Champions League, Arsenal win late
-
Oil prices retreat as markets welcome US-Iran talks
-
Trump threatens Iran with 'hell' but reveals fresh talks
-
US refusing to give Sudan's de facto leader visa for UN: diplomatic sources, UN
-
Trump signs security deal with Greenland, Denmark at UN
-
Macron urges world to choose UN over 'law of the jungle'
-
Trump threatens Iran with 'hell' but unveils fresh talks
-
All-rounder Jacks stars as England beat Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
-
Chile's Atacama Desert blossoms with life after El Nino rains
-
Man City peg back Bayern to start Women's Champions League
-
Sri Lanka hands 220-year jail terms to 15 convicted of Easter bombings
Springbok blows as Wiese banned, Willemse, Am injured
World Cup-winning South Africa loose forward Jasper Wiese was banned for six matches on Thursday, ruling him out of Tests against Wales, Ireland, Portugal and Australia.
This blow follows a hand injury sustained by Springboks full-back Damian Willemse last weekend which is likely to sideline him before an August tour of Australia.
Another potential absentee from two eagerly-awaited home Tests against Ireland in July is outside centre Lukhanyo Am, nursing shoulder and rib injuries.
The suspension of Wiese was announced in a Rugby Football Union statement while the Stormers and Sharks franchises confirmed injuries to Willemse and Am.
Wiese was sent off last Saturday in his final match for Leicester Tigers after driving an Exeter Chiefs opponent head first into the ground at a ruck.
With his club career on hold, the forward must serve his ban in international matches, and will be unavailable for the world champions until an August 31 clash with arch rivals New Zealand.
Willemse and Am were injured playing in the penultimate regular-season round of the United Rugby Championship.
Willemse started the 2023 World Cup final victory over New Zealand in Paris and Wiese came off the bench seven minutes from time to replace captain Siya Kolisi.
Am was not part of the original World Cup squad due to injury. He later flew to France as a replacement for Makazole Mapimpi.
Evan Roos or Cameron Hanekom are possible replacements for Wiese, veteran Willie le Roux for Willemse and Jesse Kriel for Am.
South Africa launch a 13-Test season against Wales in London on June 22, then host Ireland on July 6 and 13 in a showdown between the top two ranked teams.
The sole loss the Springboks suffered when winning a record fourth World Cup last year was against Ireland, who won a pool match 13-8 in Paris.
After a first Test against Portugal, in Bloemfontein on July 20, South Africa visit Australia for Rugby Championship matches on August 10 and 17.
The world champions also have two fixtures each against New Zealand and Argentina in the southern hemisphere competition before November Tests in Scotland, England and Wales.
Ferreira--PC
