New Zealand Rugby Team Faces Setback During South Africa Tour
The New Zealand rugby team has encountered a significant setback during their ongoing tour of South Africa, as centre Billy Proctor is set to return home following a serious injury. Scans have confirmed that Proctor sustained a fractured shoulder during the team’s victory over the Stormers, with a final score of 38-21 in Cape Town.
Proctor appeared to be in notable discomfort as he exited the field, having sustained the injury during a clear-out at a ruck. His injury marks the second loss for the team on this tour, following hooker George Bell’s calf injury sustained during training prior to the matches.
In an official statement released by the All Blacks on Sunday, it was confirmed that Proctor has a fracture of the shoulder blade. Fortunately, surgery will not be necessary; however, recovery time is expected to be between 10 to 12 weeks, rendering him unavailable for the rest of the tour.
At this time, there has been no announcement regarding a replacement for Proctor. However, local media in New Zealand speculate that his absence could provide an opportunity for flyhalf Richie Mo’unga to rejoin the squad, enhancing the team’s options in upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, the All Blacks have three forthcoming fixtures against South African franchise teams, commencing with a match against the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday. They are also scheduled to compete against the world champion Springboks in four test matches starting August 22, with the final match to take place in Baltimore, United States.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie made headlines earlier in the day by announcing the team lineup for the clash against the Sharks, a crucial matchup following the challenges encountered thus far on their tour.
