South Africa lose Eben Etzebeth for Saturday's date with Italy
Monday 14 November 2016 18:04, UK
Eben Etzebeth will miss South Africa's Test match against Italy on Saturday after being diagnosed with concussion.
The lock was hurt when South Africa's poor run of international form continued with a 37-21 defeat at the hands of England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Springboks coach Allister Coetzee has not opted to call up a replacement to his squad, which includes plenty of second row depth in the form of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert and potential cover from Oupa Mohoje and Willem Alberts.
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Coetzee's options for the match in Florence could be boosted by the return of veteran winger Bryan Habana.
Habana returned to a full training session on Monday after a knee problem and is expected to be available.
Flanker Uzair Cassiem has also joined the squad as replacement for the injured Roelof Smit and had his first session with the team on Monday afternoon - Coetzee will name his XV on Thursday.
Meanwhile, hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and prop Andrea Lovotti are out of Italy's squad with toe and rib injuries respectively.
Both players were injured during the 68-10 defeat at the hands of New Zealand on Saturday and have been sent back to their clubs.
Treviso prop Nicola Quaglio has been handed his first call-up and Zebre hooker Tommaso D'Apice could have the chance to add to his 11 caps, while flanker Marco Barbini has also been added to the squad by coach Conor O'Shea.
