South Africa's plans for the upcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions took another hit after training was suspended on Monday due to another positive coronavirus test in the squad.
Lock Lood de Jager has tested positive, forcing the squad back into isolation as a precaution with the Springboks due to play Georgia again on Friday at Ellis Park.
Prop Vincent Koch and winger Sbu Nkosi tested positive and were put in isolation on June 27. Backs Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi joined them as close contacts but have been cleared to play this week.
Scrum-half Herschel Jantjies also tested positive but a review considered it a false positive. Jantjies appeared as a replacement for the Springboks last Friday when they beat Georgia 40-9 in the first Test in Pretoria.
The Springboks are building up to the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions that is due to begin on June 27.
Coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the Springboks, forcing them to cancel all 13 home and away Tests scheduled for last year.
The match against Georgia in Pretoria last Friday was the first for the world champions in 20 months since they defeated England convincingly to win the Rugby World Cup a record-equalling third time.
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber reacted to the initial isolation by saying he did not believe the Lions tour was in jeopardy.
“There is no Springbok player who does not want to participate in this tour because it is so special, coming around just once every 12 years.
“I am not an expert in Covid, viruses and virology, but we are trying to mitigate the risks of infection and adhere to the health protocols.
“With a virus, I do not think you can completely take away the risk of contracting it, but the precautions being taken to keep us as safe as possible are magical and we are abiding by them.”
