LONDON – George Kruis has been ruled out of England’s tour of South Africa by his club boss at Saracens, Mark McCall.
British and Irish Lions lock Kruis is to have surgery on an ankle problem at the end of the European season, meaning he will miss the three-Test series against the Springboks in June.
He will, however, be available for Saracens’ bid to win the English title via the Premiership playoffs.
The top four sides at the end of the regular season go forward to two semi-finals, with the winners contesting a Twickenham final for the right to be crowned champions of England.
“He’s not going to tour, no,” said Saracens rugby director McCall. “He’s going to have surgery at the end of the season.”
Kruis’ absence threatens to leave England coach Eddie Jones without up to six senior players for the South Africa series.
Sunday saw Saracens and England back-row Billy Vunipola emerge unscathed from his first competitive action in three months as his club booked a home semi-final with a 51-14 thrashing of already-relegated London Irish.
Saracens will face either Newcastle or Wasps in the last four.
This was Vunipola’s first senior match since breaking his arm in a 15-15 European Champions Cup draw at Opsreys on January 13.
Match Action | Schalk Burger having a fine first half so far for Saracens pic.twitter.com/dEl0xcNCXL
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) April 29, 2018
The 25-year-old has not played international rugby union for more than two years, mainly as a result of knee and shoulder injuries.
But the No 8 is now on course to start Saracens’ final regular-season Premiership match against Gloucester next weekend as he tries to regain full fitness.
“It’s good to get him back on the park,” said McCall of powerhouse loose forward Vunipola.
“We’ll try to give him as much game time as we can next week, start him I’m sure against Gloucester next weekend, all being well. It’s a shame it’s a fallow weekend after that.”