World Cup champions South Africa have been ravaged by injuries on the eve of their two-match tour to the UK.
Three more players join South Africa's casualties
World Cup champions South Africa have been ravaged by injuries on the eve of their two-match tour to the UK, with another three players ruled out on Monday.
Loose forwards Wikus van Heerden and Danie Rossouw, as well as prop Gürthro Steenkamp joined the ever-growing injury list.
Van Heerden and Rossouw, who are struggling with neck injuries, have been replaced by Blue Bulls star Hilton Lobberts and uncapped Sharks ace Ryan Kankowski.
Wian du Preez, of the Cheetahs, has been called up for Steenkamp, who injured his hand in a freak accident.
South Africa's Super 14 player of the year Fourie du Preez is also doubtful, with the scrum-half considering undergoing surgery on his shoulder.
Setbacks
"We will make a final call one du Preez on Tuesday, once the coaching staff have fully assessed the situation," the chairman of the national selectors Pieter Jooste told this website.
The latest setbacks follow the knee injury that has ruled out another World Cup star, full-back Percy Montgomery.
Also unavailable for the trip - that will see the Springboks take on Wales in Cardiff on November 24 and the Barbarians at Twickenham a week later - are prop Os du Randt and loose forward Bob Skinstad, both of whom have since retired.
Added to this, fellow World Cup squad members Butch James (fly-half, Bath), Gary Botha (hooker, Harlequins) and Ashwin Willemse (wing, Biarritz) are also not available because of European club obligations.
