England coach Brian Ashton has been forced to delay his team announcement until Friday, as another three players went down to the virus that has left his squad stricken and hopeless in the face of a full-strength Springbok side.Â
Asked by Rugby365 if the match were to kick-off on Wednesday, how many backs would be available, Ashton said he had seven fit backs, of which three were scrum-halves.
Mike Brown, James Simpson-Daniel and number one centre Andy Farrell have all been struck down, with two of them, according to Ashton, too ill to even fly home.
Captain Jason Robinson is still rehabilitating his knee injury, and has been restricted to gym work and exercise in the swimming pool.
His progress is being monitored ahead of the game.
Meanwhile, Ashton has called up Bath winger and fullback, the South African-born Nick Abendanon, who was born in Johannesburg.
The 20-year-old has played England under 19, England under 21, England Sevens and for the Saxons, and was voted Man-of-the-Match in Monday’s victory over Scotland ‘A’.
“It’s disappointing that so many of the guys have been injured or ill,” said Abendanon, “but I was over the moon when I heard – I was pretty shocked but obviously very pleased.
“All my family live in Johannesburg so it will be great to have some support in Pretoria and I just hope I will be involved in some way.”
Despite the massive setbacks, Ashton says he still expects “a stronger, more intelligent performance” come Saturday.