In encouraging news for the Bok team and its supporters, it is believed that Pierre Spies may yet make the trip to France.
Spies was scratched off the Bok teamsheet and replaced by hooker Bismarck du Plessis last week after he was diagnosed as suffering from pulmonary embolism.
He was thought to have inherited a ‘thrombotic’ blood condition which would have prematurely ended his promising rugby playing career.
However, two of South Africa’s leading doctors – Prof. Barry Jacobson and Dr. Willem Prinsloo – believe that the initial prognosis may turn out to be less serious than initially suspected.
Spies was subjected to intensive testing by the two physicians who now believe that pneumonia may have been the cause of the Springbok star coughing up blood during a Bok training session.
He will be tested by one further specialist, recommended by Dr Tim Noakes, to determine his readiness for World Cup duty. Jake White is awaiting the results of the third opinion on Spies’ health before, hopefully, recalling him to the squad at the expense of Bismarck du Plessis (Ou Grote is hoping that Bismarck’s brother Dr Jannie du Plessis isn’t that third specialist!).
“Our medical team took the most conservative view at the time, in the interests of the player and I supported that view,” explained the Bok coach.
“However, we always left the back door open for the player, dependent on the results of further blood tests.
“Pierre has now had tests and the view is more encouraging that he will be in a position to contribute to the World Cup. What I have asked for now is that he be assessed by another specialist, recommended to us by Dr Tim Noakes.
“If that specialist is of the view that Pierre would not be at risk then he will definitely be recalled.
“It has been a win-win situation in the last fortnight because Pierre has had time off and he has managed to have all the testing done, while Bismarck has trained with the squad. The reality of the situation is that Bismarck came in as 31 and if Pierre does get a medical clearance then number 31 falls out.
“The tests may have confirmed the view that he would be out of the game for more than six months and the coaching staff would have lost two weeks of working with a replacement.
“Pierre has always been integral to our World Cup plan and when he was initially ruled out we had to adjust our thinking to accommodate a second playing strategy. Having him back will allow us to revert to Plan ‘A’.
“He was originally chosen because of unique qualities he brings to the team. Nothing has changed in this regard. I’d be stupid not to bring him back in if there was hope that he could still make a contribution in France.
“Ideally I’d want him there for the England match, but it would be outrageous if we left him at home now and by the time we played a quarter-final he was in South Africa playing Currie Cup rugby. Everything will be done to ensure he can get there and if he isn’t it will be because it is a health risk,†concluded White.
The Spies family are apparently expecting “good news” come Friday.
Good news – let’s see what happens on Friday
last week the thought of losing Spies shook me to my bones, as i regarded him as our MVP, utterly indispensible and irreplacable. after some rumination, i have come to realise that this player is rather montgomery. if the bokke are to survive those 6 weeks and then slay the all blacks in Paris, monty shall have to play out of his skin (and spies too).