Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, 11 July.
Cuthbert out of Wales Test
Alex Cuthbert has been ruled out of Wales' third Test against South Africa with a shoulder injury.
The Ospreys speedster replaced Josh Adams, who himself didn't look fully fit in the series opener, for the Bloemfontein showdown but lasted just 16 minutes after picking up the blow. He tried to remain on the field but was in obvious discomfort and had to be removed soon after the issue became apparent.
The severity of the injury is currently unknown, with a brief statement from the Welsh Rugby Union simply informing that he is out of the series decider in Cape Town.
Read next: Graham Price names the Wales team Pivac should name and the improvement needed for deciding Test
No replacement will be called up and Wales have few options in the back three on this trip, so it looks likely that Josh Adams will return to the back three alongside Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams, with George North now occupying the outside centre channel.
It is also likely to mean a return to the bench for Owen Watkin, who filled the No.23 jersey in Pretoria.
There is no news on the fitness of tight-head prop Dillon Lewis, who was seen in a sling after the match after a scrum collapsed on top of him in the 65th minute, or skipper Dan Biggar, who came off with a shoulder problem with 50 minutes on the clock.
The absence of news on the pair can be perceived two ways. It is either a positive or Wales are keeping their cards close to their chest, with three days to go until they name their team for round three with the world champions.
Springboks star ruled out
Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen has been ruled out of South Africa’s Test series decider against Wales after breaking his hand.
Springboks assistant coach Deon Davids confirmed Esterhuizen’s injury, which happened during the 13-12 second Test defeat in Bloemfontein.
The Quins centre is expected to be out of action for four weeks. It's unlikely that he would have started in Cape Town anyway, with South Africa likely to recall first-choice centre Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am after making a raft of changes for the second Test.
But after a strong carrying performance in the second Test, RPA Player of the Year Esterhuizen could have been in contention for a bench spot before being ruled out.
Welsh back-row the pick of the bunch
Wales' back row trio of Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell and Taulupe Faletau were the standout performers against South Africa, according to WalesOnline readers.
Thousands of fans have been marking the players out of 10 for their second Test performances, with Lydiate and Reffell sharing the man-of-the-match honours with an average score of 8.4 out of 10. Back-row team-mate Taulupe Faletau was next in line with a mark of 8.1.
Match-winning replacement Gareth Anscombe also scored highly (8/10), followed by try-scorer Josh Adams (7.3).
You can see how we rated all 23 players and leave your marks here.
England spoilt for choice - Hartley
Former England hooker Dylan Hartley says Eddie Jones is spoilt for choice heading into next year's World Cup.
England bounced back from their first Test defeat to beat the Wallabies 25-17 on Saturday, with Jones having handed debuts to Tommy Freeman on the wing and Guy Porter at outside centre. Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet also came in for his first start.
And Hartley believes that added depth will only benefit Jones in France next year.
"He's spoilt for choice, right? Alex Mitchell is not on tour for example, you could play him at nine," told Sky Sports.
"He handed out debuts today [in the second Test] and debuts last week, and he won a Test match against a good Australian side. If he's got that luxury, I suppose that's what he's doing, if he's confident his team can win.
"He picks a side to win the game, that's what he always says."
Door still not open for Georgia in Six Nations
Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili does not believe that one result will change the opinion of the Six Nations hierarchy.
Georgia secured their first-ever victory against tier one opposition on Sunday, defeating Italy 28-19 in Batumi. Given how often the topic of whether Georgia deserve a place in the Six Nations crops up, beating a side that often has its own place in the competition questioned.
Italy had not won a Six Nations match in seven years, before finally ending the wait this year by defeating Wales in Cardiff. However, while Georgia's victory might revive the discussion once again, Maisashvili doesn't expect things to change.
“I don’t think Sunday’s result will change much in terms of if Georgia should maybe join the Six Nations,” he told reporters. “I absolutely don’t think they are going to open the door on the back of one result.”
READ NEXT:
Sir Clive Woodward astonished by Wales' 'remarkable' turnaround as he lauds Wayne Pivac
Today's rugby news as Dan Biggar says World Cup up for grabs and Georgia beat Italy amid wild scenes
Graham Price names the Wales team Pivac should name and the improvement needed for deciding Test
