Bok coach on petrol explosion: 'It makes perfect sense'
REACTION: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber was not too worried about the burn wounds sustained by Damian de Allende and Rudolph Snyman ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.
The Bok duo - along with Munster teammates CJ Stander and Mike Haley - suffered burns after being involved in a ‘fire pit accident’ over the weekend.
De Allende revealed that they got the burns from an explosion, which had been caused by a teammate throwing petrol on a fire.
Haley and Stander sustained burns to their hands.
However, De Allende and Snyman sustained more substantial burns to their legs, hands and face.
"I spoke to both of them and they are fine," Nienaber told a virtual media briefing Wednesday, adding: "Probably the most important thing is that their families are fine.
"They are seeing the specialist - that looks after their burns - on Friday and whenever he clears them to fly, they will be on a plane back to us, bearing in mind they will need a couple of days to sort out the logistics.
"Accidents can happen and when it does, it is not ideal. It is not something that we can control.
"It rains a little bit more in Ireland than in South Africa. When I was there and if you wanted a wood fire like we do in South Africa, I did the same.
"I would take a little bit of petrol and throw it on top of the wood and light it because the wood is wet.
"Everybody does it like that over there and an accident happened and they explained it to me and it makes perfect sense.
"The fire just ran up into the canister and the canister fell and the petrol just spilt over their legs.
"It is superficial burns and thank goodness for that.
"I worked in a burns unit as a physio for three years, so I understand the pain."
Nienaber believes that De Allende and Snyman could even be available for the Tests against Georgia on July 2 and 9
"If everything goes according to plan, then yes I think they would [be available].
"The challenge is that if they get an infection or if there is some other medical reason they can’t fly to us, then it makes it a little bit more challenging," Nienaber added.
Meanwhile, Munster assistant coach Stephen Larkham also opened up on the incident.
"From the coaches’ perspective, it was just an accident," Larkham told media in Ireland. "They’re all grown men, responsible men and it just got away from them. We’re just lucky it hasn’t been worse.
"It’s been tough and some of the boys are still struggling but thankfully they’re not in a lot of pain. But there is some significant damage there and it will take a while.
"It’s a good lesson for them and it will be a good lesson for anyone who reads up on the story. You’ve got to respect things around a fire pit. They’re still reeling at the moment but they’ll bounce back soon enough."
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Additional source: the42.ie