Springbok lock Victor Matfield has been ruled out of the Vodacom Tri-Nations tour after sustaining a knee injury during practice on Tuesday.
An examination in Sydney on Wednesday confirmed that Matfield sprained the medial collateral ligament and suffered a torn cartilage in his right knee.
Albert van den Berg has been released by the Sharks and arrangements are underway to make it possible for him to join the Springboks in Australia on Friday.
Meanwhile, reserve hooker Hanyani Shimange has been withdrawn from the squad to play the Pacific Islands XV at Gosford on Saturday after he suffered a calf strain during practice on Wednesday.
Danie Coetzee replaces Shimange on the bench.
More news from Australia is that local musician and actor Danie Niehaus will sing the South African national anthem at the Pacific Islands Test on Saturday.
Niehaus is currently on tour in Australasia. — Sapa