By Brenden Nel.
While it is understandable for a team to hide their injured players before a big game, a massive questionmark hangs over the availability of Wales captain Dan Biggar and prop Dillon Lewis ahead of the third test in Cape Town against the Springboks on Saturday.
Biggar left the field with a shoulder injury during the 13-12 win in the second test but it is understandable that the team is likely to give him as much time as possible to recover ahead of the crucial test decider this weekend.
While the Springboks have a policy of not selecting any player who can’t train on a Monday due to injury, Welsh defence coach Gethin Jenkins wouldn’t confirm to media on Tuesday if the pair had actually trained with the Welsh side.
Lewis has an elbow injury and was taken off the field with his arm in a sling.
“Fingers crossed we will be fine and have a full squad to select from,” said Jenkins.
“We are waiting on Dan Biggar until later in the week. I think Dillon has recovered well. Hopefully he will train Thursday and I am looking forward to having him come back on the weekend.
“I am not commenting on who trained or who didn’t today. In the grand scheme of things it is not overly important.
“We might be a couple of names short on a Monday or Tuesday. Thursday will be a big day in terms of preparation and getting our physical stuff done.”
Wales have already lost Alex Cuthbert to injury over the weekend and lost tighthead prop Tomas Francis last week to injury. They also have tightheads Leon Brown and Samson Lee also on the injury list.
Gareth Anscombe, who kicked a touchline conversion to beat the Boks, is favourite to start if Biggar is ruled out.