Marx's injury not just a blow for Boks, but world of rugby, says Nienaber

In Bordeaux

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said hooker Malcolm Marx will be sorely missed and his absence will not only be felt in the Bok camp, but the world of rugby at large.

Marx, who suffered a freak knee injury on Wednesday that forced him out of the tournament, is the latest biggest name casualty to slip out of the tournament.

He joins Scotland hooker David Cherry in the freak accident exit stakes, with Cherry having to leave after suffering a concussion when he slipped on stairs at his team's hotel.

In Marx's case, Nienaber explained that the 29-year-old's leg got stuck in between that of a teammate's during a contact session, which led to the injury.

Marx's injury has understandably overshadowed the build-up to South Africa's second World Cup game against Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday.

LIVE | RWC 2023: Romania's Gorin to make Rugby World Cup debut aged 35 against Springboks

In Marx, the Boks not only lose 64 Tests worth of experience, but also lose a combative player who scrums very well and allows the Boks to implement their highly successful 'Bomb Squad' strategy.

"For him to miss out on the World Cup because of a freak accident is such a big blow," Nienaber said.

"As a team, we've been on the road now for 12 or 13 weeks where our families are with us, and one must remember that every individual in the team adds something to the Boks.

"We lose that with Malcolm ... one of the things I often saw was him with his daughter in his arms every morning.

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi