South Africa In Injury Crisis As Gerald Coetzee Gets Injured After Anrich Nortje
Gerald Coetzee was being seen as South Africa's replacement for Anrich Nortje but has now become another one of the half dozen pacers to get injured this season.
South Africa men’s cricket team is finding itself in a bit of an injury crisis as pacer Gerald Coetzee has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss the rest of the SA20, the country’s premier T20 competition.
This puts his participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in doubt though Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement that he’s still in ‘contention’. Coetzee was supposed to be Anrich Nortje’s replacement for the Proteas’ squad for the tournament after the latter had injured his back earlier this week.
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“Proteas Men’s fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who will miss the remainder of the Betway SA20 due to a left hamstring strain, remains in contention for selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Coetzee will be closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, with a decision on his inclusion to be made within the first week of February," CSA said.
Nortje missed Wednesday’s SA20 game for Paarl Royals against MI Cape Town. CSA fear he is sidelined for a significant period.
South Africa’s first match is against Afghanistan in Karachi on February 21. The deadline for submitting the final squads to the ICC is February 11.
Coetzee’s recovery time will depend on the severity of his hamstring injury, which can affect athletes ranging from days to months. He was always seen as Nortje’s natural replacement for the Champions Trophy.
“Gerald Coetzee played very well in the 2023 World Cup, but it was between him and Anrich Nortje. They offer high pace, both of them. Anrich has more experience and attributes that will stand us in good stead in Pakistan. Gerald has done nothing wrong to not be selected," Coach Rob Walter had said when announcing South Africa’s squad with Nortje in it.
Injuries to fast bowlers have ravaged South Africa this season. Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, Daryn Dupavillon, Wiaan Mulder and Ottneil Baartman, among others, have all dealt with wide-ranging issues in the last few months.
Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Mulder are the current four pace options in South Africa’s squad for the Champions Trophy. If Coetzee is ruled out, they can look at Baartman, 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka or the recent, impressive ODI debutant Corbin Bosch.
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