Otago's injury problems look to have improved while Canterbury may have to do without its captain for this Saturday's Ranfurly Shield challenge.
Otago was still digesting its wounded yesterday after Sunday's 22-18 loss to Auckland but it appears key lock Hayden Triggs should be right to play.
Triggs has been battling a rib injury in recent weeks and looked to be in some pain when he was forced from the field with about 10 minutes left against Auckland.
But Otago assistant coach Bruce Carvell said Triggs had simply got a bang on the ribs and had not aggravated the injury.
First five-eighth Chris Noakes had wrenched his groin in a training collision with winger Karne Hesketh last Friday and did not play against Auckland.
He was visiting a specialist yesterday to get a scan on his groin and his chances of playing were likely to become clearer today.
Definitely unavailable is midfield back Luke Herden who is due to have an operation today to remove a floating piece of bone behind his kneecap.
Although it was a relatively straightforward operation, Herden would not be available for another couple of weeks.
Reserve halfback Johnny Legg is also out with an injured ankle.
James Kenny, who has taken Legg's place in the squad, did not front on the bench on Sunday because of a strained hamstring, and his availability will depend on his leg responding to treatment.
Prop Ben Nolan is still in doubt with a rib injury,Definitely out are Adam Thomson and Tom Donnelly, who are in Hamilton on duty with the All Blacks.
Carvell said it was part of the role of the Otago team to develop talent within its team for promotion to higher honours.
Although it appears unlikely that either Thomson or Donnelly will make the 22-man squad to face the Springboks the national selectors had made it quite clear the All Black squad would not be available for Air New Zealand Cup games for the next two rounds, Carvell said.
"But one man's disappointment is another man's opportunity and it will test the character of a few guys this week," Carvell said.
Otago is likely to get a clearer indication on player fitness at a training run today.
Canterbury had a light training run yesterday but captain and openside flanker George Whitelock did not train, having sprained an ankle in Saturday night's loss to Bay of Plenty.
Canterbury assistant coach Tabai Matson admitted Whitelock, a former Otago player, was a doubtful starter for Saturday but felt his skipper would do everything in his power to play.
Carvell said the team had talked yesterday about the desire required to take the Shield and was focusing on intensity and accuracy needed this week.
"Everyone in the team is committed to the game plan and the pattern we are playing.
"We are missing opportunities and that comes down to individuals making decisions.
"It has nothing to do with the game plan, and the pattern we are playing.
"They are just lapses in concentration and if you have five of those from players then they can cost you tries."
