Willem Alberts

Willem Alberts says he’ll be ready to play for the Springboks in their Rugby Championship encounter against Australia in Perth on 6 September.

Loose forward Alberts and lock Victor Matfield were on Monday recalled to the Springbok squad for the trip Down Under. Both missed the home and away Tests against Argentina because of injury.

Matfield suffered a knee injury during a cleaning drill, while Alberts withdrew shortly before the game in Pretoria as he picked up a hamstring tear during the captain’s training run.

Sport24

The Springboks said via a media release that Alberts needs to pass a fitness test in Johannesburg on Thursday in order to be part of the touring party.

However, the player is confident he’ll be able to board the plane on Saturday.

“During the captain’s practice session, my hamstring felt uncomfortable,” Alberts told the MyPlayers website. “After the doctor checked me out, the scans showed a Grade 1 tear, which ruled me out for 10 days.

“The recovery has been going well and I will be ready to play against Australia. It’s been tough watching the matches from the sidelines, so I’m excited to join the boys again.”

Alberts said there’s a positive vibe in the squad, especially with the mix of experience and youth. Flank Juan Smith is a veteran who made his comeback in the 33-31 win over Agrentina in Salta.

“It’s great to have a guy like Juan Smith in the team,” said Alberts. “He adds a lot of value to the team on and off the field, and gives a lot of great advice to the younger players in the squad.”

Springbok squad to travel to Australasia:

Forwards:  Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Brits, Marcell Coetzee, Lodewyk de Jager, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Teboho Mohoje, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Marcel van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen.

Backs:  Damian de Allende, Jean de Villiers (captain), Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Francois Hougaard, Patrick Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Jan Serfontein, Morné Steyn.