Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez has become the latest player to withdraw from the national squad ahead of Saturday’s one-off Test against Wales in Cardiff.
This was confirmed by a Springbok management member on Monday morning. Du Preez will miss the last Test of the year, and the last of Jake White’s tenure as coach, due to the shoulder injury that has troubled him for much of this year.
At this stage it is not clear whether a replacement for Du Preez will be called. The Boks do have two other scrumhalves in the squad, Ruan Pienaar and Ricky Januarie.
Indications before the team’s departure for Wales, however, was that White intended fielding Pienaar at fullback in place of the Percy Montgomery, who has French club commitments this weekend.
It might now open the door for Conrad Jantjes to return to international action at fullback. — Sapa