Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has provided a positive update on Pieter-Steph du Toit’s injury ahead of the Rugby Championship.

There were concerns over the flanker after he struggled during the narrow 25-24 defeat to Ireland in the recent Test series.

However, Du Toit has recovered from a knee injury and could take his place in the squad, set to play in the tournament’s opening fixture against the Wallabies next week.

If he is fully fit, it is almost certain that the 31-year-old will start. According to Erasmus, however, this does bring some dilemmas with regard to the composition of his bench.

5-3, 6-2 or 7-1

The Boks are known for their replacements who play mainly on the forwards. They often play a 6-2 formation and sometimes even a 7-1 formation, but there is some speculation that they could revert to the more traditional 5-3.

“Pieter-Steph will be ready to play next week and that makes your team selection interesting again, because you might not have to put an extra lock on the bench or, if you are 6-2, you might put an extra lock on the bench, or two loose attackers on the bench,” Erasmus told reporters.

“But that has to be a fit Pieter-Steph. It was a minor knee injury, which he has now overcome, but he also has a bit of flu, so he couldn’t train fully the last two days.”

There were also rumours that Du Toit could play in eighth place, especially after Evan Roos was not in the selection. However, Erasmus has quashed that idea.

“I think we have two completely separate forward teams. We have Marco (van Staden) and Siya (Kolisi) who can play six players, we have Pieter-Steph and Ben-Jason (Dixon) who can play seven players and we have Kwagga (Smith) and Elrigh (Louw) who can play eight players. Elrigh can also play seven players.

“I don’t think Pieter-Steph will be deployed at eighth.”

Rassie Erasmus: Springboks ‘aware’ of poor record in Australia as they try ‘new approach’ against ‘real’ Wallabies team

Other injuries

The Springboks currently have a number of players sidelined, forcing them to make a number of changes ahead of the Rugby Championship.

Erasmus provided an update on a number of these individuals, including Faf de Klerk, Canan Moodie and Damian Willemse.

“In addition, there is not really a single player with injuries within the 33. And then there are the players who are likely to come back… Faf has a groin injury, which will not last long, but we have left him at home,” he added.

“Jaden (Hendrikse) is coming back. Canan Moodie is also ready to play next week and Damian Willemse I think in another three weeks.”

The South Africa coach also confirmed that Malcolm Marx is “90 per cent” ready to face the Wallabies despite breaking his leg against Ireland after a nasty crocodile roll.

READ MORE: US’s Ilona Maher Overtakes Siya Kolisi as Most Followed Active Rugby Player on Instagram