Van der Linde, Mostert added to Boks

RUGBY WORLD Cup-winning prop CJ van der Linde and uncapped Sharks lock Gerhard Mostert have been added to the Springboks squad preparing for the away leg of the Tri Nations.

In a statement, the South Africa Rugby Union says Van der Linde will have further assessment in Johannesburg on a groin injury before he is cleared to tour, while Mostert has been called up as cover for Johann Muller, who has a hamstring injury.

A decision on their participation will be made later in the week.

“We’ve been hard hit by injury in several positions and although we’ve not made any decisions, we’re preparing for all eventualities,” says coach Peter de Villiers.

“CJ has had medical opinion that says he does not require an operation on his groin injury and we will assess him in training over the next couple of days. We have a number of injuries at prop and have very little experienced cover, but we won’t compromise his wellbeing if he is not right in our opinion.

“Johann is struggling with the hamstring he injured in Cape Town. We’ll continue to monitor him before making a decision on whether he can travel later this week.”

Sixty-nine test Van der Linde was a member of the side which won the 2007 RWC in France, but was initially overlooked for the Springboks preliminary squad due to his groin injury this year.

Mostert was included in De Villiers’ first Springbok training group in 2008 as a relatively unknown 22-year-old but has been hampered by intermittent injuries over the intervening seasons.

“Gerhard Mostert is a player I have long admired and he was in the selectors’ thinking before this group was named.”

He has forced his way into contention in 2011 with some strong performances for the Sharks in the second half of the Super Rugby season.

The Springboks are already missing 21 injured players for their away leg of the Tri-Nations.

The World Cup holders will play the Wallabies in Sydney next Saturday.