Brian Habana is out for South Africa
South African coach Peter De Villiers will be without winger Brian Habana for their Test match against Scotland on Saturday 20 November.
The influential Springbok was named in the South African team to face Scotland, but was forced to withdraw after breaking a bone in his hand during a training session.
The winger will now return home early to recover from the injury. In Habana's absence, Gio Aplon will move from full-back to the wing.
The Springboks have an injury crisis and arrived on tour without 13 players because of injury.
Winger Bjorn Basson and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle were suspended from the tour last week, after they failed a drugs test following the match with Ireland on 6 November.
As a result, South African coach Peter De Villiers has been forced to play a number of fringe players, but the coach believes that this could work out to the Springboks advantage come the World Cup. At a press conference, De Villiers said, "This one for
us is an opportunity, with some things in the future in mind, to see how on a par our players are."
South Africa have made three changes to the team. Kirchner replaces Habana, but moves to full-back while Aplon plays on the wing. Francois Hougaard and Ryan Kankowski start in place of the experienced Ruan Pienaar and Pierre Spies.
"We know how good they are, but whether they fit into the team only on the field of play is where you will find out. You don't make experiments at international level, you just reward players for what you believe they can bring to the game,” said De Villiers.
"We just have to use our players to the best of our ability. There is a World Cup next year. You would have to be stupid if you think that 15 players or 22 players can win a World Cup for you,” added the Springboks coach.
Tags: