South Africa
Meyer concerned by South Africa's lock resources
ESPN Staff
May 5, 2015
Heyneke Meyer
Heyneke Meyer© Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer is facing a potential second-row crisis ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Meyer's resources are getting further depleted by the day with Flip van der Merwe on Monday declaring himself unavailable for international rugby due to undisclosed reasons.

"Flip is not available for international rugby at the moment," Meyer said. "It is a big setback as I've always rated him and he is an enforcer. You need an enforcer for international rugby and he can play at five as well. He would be in this squad but unfortunately he isn't available."

Bakkies Botha retired from international rugby back in November and other options are currently sidelined through injury.

"Eben [Etzebeth] is recovering from injury, Pieter-Steph [du Toit] is injured and Victor [Matfield] has been out with a knee (injury), so if there is one position I'm worried about, that is it," he said.

"There are one or two loose forwards that can play lock but you need specialists there. Lood [de Jager] is also injured, so if I had to pick a side today we'd be in trouble with locks."

© ESPN Staff

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