South Africa was heading into the World Cup in India after a morale-boosting series victory over Australia and were seen as strong contenders to finally win their first ICC trophy. However, their preparations have been dealt a serious blow after their talisman pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. Anrich Nortje will miss yet another World Cup due to a back injury.
Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala went through a fitness test after their ODI home series against Australia and were adjudged unfit to be a part of the Proteas squad traveling to India for the mega event. Nortje suffered a back injury, while Magala has been nursing a knee injury which worsened during the series against Australia. Lizaad Williams and Andile Phelukwayo have been slotted in as replacements.
South Africa’s bowling coach Eric Simons expressed his disappointment in the absence of Nortje as he was a key asset to the team, who could hurt the opposition with his sheer pace and variations. Simons further said that the absence of these two key pacers would weaken their pace bowling attack.
Anrich Nortje is a key member of our attack and it comes as a blow, but also for him personally because there’s a lot of frustrations about missing the World Cup – Eric Simon
Anrich Nortje will be missing his second World Cup in a row, as he had to give the 2019 tournament a miss due to a fractured thumb and was replaced by Chris Morris. Eric Simon was having an interaction with the media and said that the absence of Anrich Nortje makes their bowling line up a bit weak. It is extremely unfortunate for Nortje to be missing yet another World Cup while being at his prime. he suffered back spasms during the games against Australia and is now suspected to have a stress fracture in his lower back.
“Losing someone like Anas is a blow. His experience, his natural ability to bowl at the pace that he does, the intimidation factor that he brings to the opposition, the calmness that he brings and the leadership that he carries within the bowling unit is a huge loss” said Eric Simons.
“He is a key member of our attack and it comes as a blow, but also for him personally because there’s a lot of frustrations about missing the World Cup, having put in as much effort as he has over the last while to get fit and to be ready, I feel a lot for him because there are only so many World Cups you can play and to miss one is never great, particularly when you’re in the prime of your career,” Eric Simons added.
South Africa will kickstart their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on October 7 in Delhi.