Western Stormers utility forward Gerrie Britz has been called up to the South Africa squad in place of injured skipper Bob Skinstad.
The veteran number eight, who led the Springboks against Australia in a Tri-Nations Test in Sydney on Saturday, has a broken rib and is on his way home facing a fight to be fully fit in time for the World Cup in September.
South Africa, who play their final southern hemisphere rugby championship match against New Zealand in Christchurch this weekend, lost Saturday’s Test against the Wallabies 25-17 at the Olympic Stadium.
With Springboks coach Jake White leaving 20 of his leading players in South Africa to stay fresh and recover from injuries before the World Cup in France in September, the tourists will face another uphill battle against the All Blacks.
Britz, who can play lock or flank, is likely to come into the reckoning for a spot on the replacements bench for Saturday’s showdown, but coach White’s biggest headache now is to find a new captain.
Regular skipper John Smit is in South Africa with a number of his teammates, including Victor Matfield who led the side in the Test match against New Zealand in Durban just over two weeks ago.
White told reporters in Sydney he will look to the Northern Bulls pair of hooker Gary Botha and flanker Wikus van Heerden, and Coastal Sharks lock Johann Muller for his new captain.
South Africa will name their team to play New Zealand on Wednesday. – Sapa-AFP