Injured flyhalf Peter Grant and number eight Ryan Kankowski withdrew on Wednesday from the Springbok squad for the Test against Argentina and the Tri-Nations series.
A Springbok statement said Grant would have surgery to his right shoulder this week and was expected to be out for six to 12 weeks, effectively ruling him out of any further participation.
Kankowski also has a shoulder injury but will not need surgery. He was expected to recover in two to three weeks after a rehabilitation programme.
The Springboks face Argentina in Johannesburg on August 9 before continuing their quest for the Tri-Nations trophy against New Zealand in Cape Town on August 16.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he would not be calling up a replacement for Grant, while no decision had yet been taken on Kankowski.
With Butch James expected to continue at flyhalf, Francois Steyn will likely provide cover at that position in Grant’s absence, while Joe van Niekerk and Pierre Spies are established number eights. – Reuters