Kolbe breaks jaw and shoulder injury sidelines Savea
South African rugby star Cheslin Kolbe and New Zealand captain Ardie Savea have both been sidelined due to injuries sustained during a recent test match. The injuries occurred during a highly competitive series between the world's top two rugby teams.
Why it matters
High-profile injuries in professional sports impact team performance and the outcome of international tournament series.
Star South Africa back Cheslin Kolbe broke his jaw in a 29-24 third test victory over New Zealand, head coach Rassie Erasmus said on Saturday.
The 32-year-old double Rugby World Cup-winning wing was switched to fullback for the match in Johannesburg after a hamstring injury ruled out Damian Willemse.
He was forced off after only 10 minutes of a match which ended with the Springboks taking a 2-1 lead in the four-test series.
Kolbe was not the only star forced to make a first-half departure.
New Zealand captain and No 8 Ardie Savea scored two tries, then sustained a shoulder injury, which has ruled him out of the series finale in American city Baltimore next Saturday.
"It was a fierce battle in all departments. I think the scoreboard shows how close the game was. We are just happy we won," Erasmus told reporters.
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