Scrumhalf Michael Claassens was added to the Springbok squad on Monday as cover for Saturday’s opening Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Cape Town.
Claassens, who has just agreed a two-year contract with Bath in England, steps in due to injuries to first-choice duo Fourie du Preez (shoulder) and Ricky Januarie (knee). Claassens will understudy third-choice halfback Ruan Pienaar.
Claassens will cover for just one Test and was not added to the 30-man squad named by team manager Zola Yeye on Monday.
Luke Watson, the flanker included in the initial squad at the insistence of rugby officials and against the wishes of coach Jake White, has a rib injury following his debut against Samoa on Saturday and was not included.
Wing Bryan Habana, who has a knee injury, was also left out. Yeye said Habana was expected to be out of action for between two and five weeks. – Reuters
Squad: Backs: Frans Steyn, Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Akona Ndungane, Ashwin Willemse, Waylon Murray, Wynand Olivier, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar, Ricky Januarie. Forwards: Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Bob Skinstad, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Bakkies Botha, Johann Muller, Victor Matfield, Albert van den Berg, Gary Botha, John Smit, BJ Botha, CJ van der Linde, Gurthro Steenkamp, Os du Randt. – Reuters