Springbok blows as Wiese banned, Willemse, Am injured / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP
-
'Be careful what you wish for': 'Obsession' director and star reflect on success
-
'This is the test': All eyes on US Fed to tackle high inflation
-
Messi scores but Miami held by Nashville
-
Scars of Marawi siege linger as Philippines poll nears
-
US Open champ Rybakina on top of world after injury scare
-
Trump turns to golf, family business on Irish visit's second day
-
Rybakina reigns serene as new world number one
-
Defiant Sabalenka motivated by US Open defeat
-
South Africa defeat New Zealand 43-28 to complete 3-1 series victory
-
Houthis say hit Saudi base after renewed fighting with Yemeni govt forces
-
Rybakina triumphs in US Open, denies Sabalenka three-peat
-
Gilbert Arenas questions Jonathan Kuminga's decision to join Minnesota
-
Akron fan's honorary play-calling stint ends with opening-drive fumble
-
Cristian Mungiu's Fjord examines a family's conflict with Norwegian child authorities
-
Louisiana's developing roster faces USC as Trojans enter as heavy favorites
-
United States beats Spain 76-66 to set up World Cup final against France
-
Christa Pike seeks clemency before September 30 execution in Tennessee
-
Queens residents seek renewed enforcement along Roosevelt Avenue
-
Utah hosts Arkansas as both programs begin seasons under new coaches
-
Marmot research gains over $140,000 from meme-coin fees alongside wildlife contest
-
Maryland groups seek statewide data center pause after local moratoriums spread
-
Roadless Rule repeal proposal raises concerns over Midwest forests and fire risk
-
Winston County trash-debt prosecutions face challenge from civil-rights lawyers
-
KFF journalists discuss opioid funds, suicide prevention and gaps in care
-
Fifth Circuit upholds dismissal of Jackson residents' constitutional water claims
-
Steven Strogatz weighs AI mathematics advances and their consequences for researchers
-
Anthropic details Claude misuse as US targets major illicit online marketplace
-
GTA VI draws political criticism online as preorder estimates exceed five million
-
Japanese floating parking platform is designed to lift cars above floodwater
-
Mini 1998 GT pairs 161-hp engine with John Cooper Works chassis hardware
-
Arteta blasts 'unacceptable' Sunderland penalty despite Arsenal win
-
Attissogbe double inspires Pau to Top 14 summit
-
Mbappe at the double as Real Madrid sink Rayo
-
Guimaraes strike lights up Arsenal win over Sunderland
-
Arsenal extend perfect Premier League start as Chelsea, Liverpool held
-
Israeli-made Gaza documentary wins Venice special jury prize
-
US survive Spain scare to book World Cup final clash with France
-
De Zerbi apologises to fans after Spurs' stalemate extends goal drought
-
Celine Dion makes long-awaited return to stage in Paris
-
Lowry takes four-shot lead as Trump jets in for Irish Open
-
Werro crowned Ultimate queen, US sweep 100m races
-
Harrison, Skupski win US Open men's doubles title
-
Venezuelans outside Caracas say capital not sharing blackout burden
-
Verstappen fears overtaking will be 'tough' at Spanish GP
-
Danish WWII drama wins top prize at Venice festival
-
Argentina revives plan for South Atlantic naval base amid Falklands tensions
-
Chelsea boss Alonso yearns for 'boring game' after Hull make their point
-
Yemen government forces say hit Houthis in Red Sea city
-
Werro outguns Hodgkinson to win women's 800m at Ultimate
-
Dismal Spurs stay goalless after Everton stalemate
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.
P.AbuBaker--SF-PST