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South Africa have suffered a blow ahead of Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia with forward enforcer Bakkies Botha ruled out through injury.
The Springboks fear the Achilles injury, which has been hampering him before being reaggravated in a training mishap on Wednesday, will end the bullocking second-rower’s tournament.
Botha had been earmarked to return for the knockout clash at Wellington’s Cake Tin but his absence has allowed in-form Danie Russouw to stay at lock and partner Victor Matfield.
Even without the 2007 World Cup winner’s 76-Test experience, coach Peter de Villiers still named the most experienced Springboks team in history on Thursday morning with a combined 836 Test caps.
De Villiers stuck with skipper John Smit at hooker ahead of the rampant Bismarck du Plessis and also selected winger JP Pietersen who must pass a fitness test on a knee ligament strain.
The other notable change, in one of three from the 13-5 pool win over Samoa was the dumping of prop Tendai Mtawarira, while inside centre Jean de Villiers takes back his No.12 jersey from the injured Frans Steyn.
Renowned as one of the most physical and damaging players in the world, Botha’s experience and muscle will be missed against the Wallabies.
De Villiers claimed the 32-year-old had overcome his existing Achilles problem but twinged his hamstring during the first lineout of training on Wednesday, triggering an awkward landing.
“He was fine to go, it was just one of those accidents you get,” the coach said. “He wasn’t well supported (by lifters) when he came down and about seven tonnes of weight on that foot, and that was the result.
“It was the worst part of my day yesterday.
“It was a sad day for myself and for Bakkies too. It might mean that his tournament will be over too.
“To look at his face last night was not the best thing to do.”
The Springboks will wait until after the quarter-final against the Tri Nations champions before deciding to bring a replacement over.
South Africa: Patrick Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp. Res: Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Gio Aplon.
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