Van Wyk called up for injured Junior Bok Howard
South Africa U20 coach Dawie Theon in high spirits after his sides hard fought victory over the English. Photo by Morgan Piek /Rugby15.
A hamstring injury to regular Junior Boks winger Patrick Howard has ruled him out of the remainder of the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 and forced Head coach Dawie Theron to call DHL Western Province midfielder Kobus van Wyk into the squad as a replacement.
Howard, who scored a try against Italy during the group stages of the tournament, sustained the injury during a training session on Thursday. A scan confirmed the injury and Howard will be out of action for between four to six weeks.
“It is a pity. Pat really excelled in this tournament and he will be missed on the field. Luckily he agreed to stay on with the team, which is great, as he is one of the best team members around,” Theron said.
“We are lucky that Kobus was part of our training squad and in fact played against Argentina in the warm-up series a couple of weeks back. An injury ruled him out of the final squad selection and I am happy for him to get a chance, even at this late stage of the tournament.”
Van Wyk joined the squad on Friday and participated in their afternoon session.
“I was about to go to gym when I got the phone call last night. I was so excited, I packed my backs immediately, even though I only had to join today,” the former Paarl Gymnasium pupil said.
There was some good news for Theron with regards to regular captain Wiaan Liebenberg and flyhalf Tony Jantjies, with both being given the green light for selection against Argentina on Sunday.
This semi-final clash at Newlands will start at 19h15.
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