FULL LIST: Top Springboks set to miss start of the 2024 season

The start of the Springboks’ Test season is a month away, but some serious injury blows have already taken an early toll.

In the latest setback, according to Netwerk24, a scan has revealed that the two-time Bok world champion Damian Willemse will need surgery on a finger injury.

The talented utility back could be out for four months, meaning he may only return to be part of the Springboks’ end-of-year tour.

There are two injury worries of note, with Sharks stars Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse – who also formed part of the 2023 World Cup-winning squad – having suffered troublesome injuries.

Am is struggling with a shoulder injury and a fractured rib and could be out for at least a few weeks. Hendrikse has a serious shoulder injury that seems to sideline him for a couple of months.

The Springboks are soon back in action

The Springboks will kick off their second in-person alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday – a month before their opening Test of the season against Wales in London on 22 June

Coach Rassie Erasmus stated: “With our first Test around the corner, it will be great to have everyone together and ensure that the coaches and players are 100% aligned in terms of what we want to achieve and how we plan to approach the season.

“We have a challenging year lined up as the Test against Wales falls outside of the international window, and then we play two Tests against Ireland, the second-ranked team in the world, and our first Test against Portugal in the Incoming Series.

“We then move on to the Rugby Championship, which kicks off with back-to-back away Tests against Australia, followed by two Tests against New Zealand in South Africa, and two matches against Argentina, away and at home.

“Our Outgoing Tour will also serve as a thorough test with matches against Scotland, England and Wales lined up, so the sooner we are aligned as a group, the better.”

SA fixtures:

Saturday, 22 June: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)

Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (Estadio Unico Madre Ciudades, Santiago)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)

Sunday, 10 November: Scotland vs SA (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England vs SA (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales vs SA (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)