South Africa coach Peter de Villiers will be without lock Andries Bekker for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Brisbane.
South Africa lock ruled out
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers will be without lock Andries Bekker for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Bekker damaged his back in the 31-17 defeat to New Zealand in Wellington, with scans now showing that he has suffered an acute disc injury.
Bekker will now return home for treatment, with de Villiers having sympathy for the Stomers forward.
"It is a setback but we will have to deal with it," said de Villiers.
"That is part of the game. We have to rely on the strength within our squad for the Test.
"It is a blow for Andries too as he was just coming back from a previous injury."
However despite the loss of Bekker, de Villiers has been buoyed by news the rest of his squad has been passed fit.
"As expected there are a few niggles but it is good news for us that we came away from Wellington with just a single serious injury and can assemble a strong line-up for the Brisbane Test," de Villiers added.
