Schalk Burger and Juan de Jongh out for South Africa
Just before the Autumn International Tests, South Africa suffered a major blow after receiving the confirmation that Schalk Burger and centre Juan de Jongh will not be available for the tour.
Flanker Burger picked up a rib injury, while De Jongh suffered a hair line fracture to his ankle during the Currie Cup final between South African club teams the Sharks and Western Province.
South Africa will face Ireland on Saturday, 6 November at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin before taking on Wales, England and Scotland on consecutive weekends.
The absence of Burger will be a huge loss to South Africa. The forward has 63 caps and has a wealth of experience in the position. The uncapped Deon Stegmann, who plays for the Bulls, will take up Burger’s position in the squad.
Centre Adrian Jacobs has also been called up to the squad due to De Jongh’s injury, and there are questions over the fitness of Jean De Villiers, who is still expected to start for the Springboks.
This brings the number of squad members to withdraw due to injury up to 13, leaving head coach Peter De Villiers with seven uncapped players in his squad for the tour.
"It's a blow to lose players, but we've rolled with the punch and already moved on.
"It's not an ideal situation, but we've all got on with our jobs and are focused only on the players that we have in camp."
South Africa is also missing captain John Smit and other key players, including Butch James, Jaque Fourie, and Heinrich Brussow.
In addition, the team is without Wynand Olivier, Andries Bekker, BJ Botha, Fourie du Preez, JP Pietersen and Gurthro Steenkamp.
South Africa has now decided to delay the naming their starting 15 against Ireland until Thursday due to De Villiers' growing injury list.
"We'll give the players some more time in rehab before we confirm the team," said the Springbok coach.
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