Malcolm Marx, pictured carrying the ball in South Africa’s opening World Cup victory over Scotland, has suffered a knee injury in training. Photograph: Neal Simpson/Shutterstock
TOULON, South Africa (AP) — South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup on Thursday with what the team described as a long-term knee injury. Marx sustained the injury in a training session on Wednesday, the Springboks said
The 29-year-old Marx, arguably the best hooker on the planet and a massive member of the Springboks squad, broke down with a reported lame leg this week ahead of Sunday’s second pool match against Romania.
Malcolm Marx of South Africa looks on during the Rugby International Test Match between Australia Wallabies and South Africa at Allianz Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steven Markham/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SA Rugby has yet to confirm the tournament-ending injury, but according to reports Marx suffered a knee injury.Stormers No 2 Joseph Dweba is on the Springboks’ standby list and could replace Marx in the squad.
He had been sent for scans following a training run scare after he “pulled up lame” at Springboks training in Toulon on Wednesday despite not being named to play this week against Romania.
Scans confirmed the worst for the 29-year-old who has a “long-term knee injury” suspected to be an ACL tear.
The Springboks have been hit by a second injury concern when hooker Malcolm Marx pulled up lame in Wednesday’s training session in Toulon.
Marx is now the second injury concern the Boks have to deal with, following on from the shoulder injury suffered by Eben Etzebeth against Scotland on Sunday.
Marx went for scans on Wednesday.
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Head coach Jacques Nienaber spoke briefly about Marx during his weekly team selection press conference.
“Malcolm wasn’t selected for this game, so that doesn’t change anything in terms of the selection of this particular game,” head coach Nienaber said of the selection.
“I’m not 100 percent sure, but I don’t think we’re allowed to give out medical information about a player.
“It’ll be better to talk to him, or he gives the doctor the green light, who is probably in a better space to talk and will know more than I do.”
Fixture
Rugby World Cup
South Africa
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17 Sep 23
Romania
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The Springboks do not have a third specialist hooker in their squad with Bongi Mbonambi, due to start against Namibia, the only other recognised hooker.
Deon Fourie is due to provide cover off the bench this weekend, while Stormers rake Joseph Dweba is on standby outside the squad.
Marx joins star Eben Etzebeth as injury concerns with the lock expected to be back in 7-10 days following a shoulder issue suffered against Scotland.