Flyhalf Andre Pretorius will not make his comeback to the Springbok team in the one-off Test against Argentina on Saturday after Bok management announced on Wednesday that the ailing pivot had been sent home.
The Cats No 10 flew back to Johannesburg on Wednesday, but is expected to join his team-mates in Cape Town on Monday.
The Springboks open their Tri-Nations campaign against Australia
at Newlands on July 12 and it is hoped that Pretorius will be fit take part in that crunch encounter.
”Andre is struggling with a serious bout of the ‘flu and has not trained at all this week,” Springbok communications manager Mark Keohane said on Wednesday.
”It was decided that he should leave the squad, because there was a worry that someone else in the team might catch the bug,” explained Keohane.
Meanwhile, wing Ashwin Willemse, who was ruled out of the match after twisting his ankle at a training session at the University of Port Elizabeth fields on Monday, joined the rehabilitation group in Cape Town.
Initially it was decided that the speedy outside back would remain with the squad but the severity of the injury caused Bok management to reassess the decision.
”He will have intensive treatment on his ankle and there is no time frame at this point for when he will be ready to rejoin the squad,” said Keohane.
Willemse’s place in the starting lineup is likely to be taken by veteran winger Pieter Rossouw, who will bring some much needed experience to the backline.
Sharks centre Trevor Halstead has been called up as cover for Pretorius and arrived in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. Halstead will start on the bench.
Bulls points machine Louis Koen will retain the No 10 jersey, following convincing displays during the 2-0 series win over Scotland. – Sapa