Springboks call in van der Linde as tour replacement for du Plessis

LEINSTER HAVE confirmed tighthead prop CJ van der Linde will join the Springboks squad in France tomorrow as a replacement for Jannie du Plessis. Du Plessis has withdrawn from their European tour with a hand injury.

The province have also confirmed Cheetahs hooker Richardt Strauss arrived in Ireland last week. The player finished the Currie Cup final in the sin bin two weeks ago, having come on for his cousin Adrianne Strauss (also called into the Springboks party).

Leinster-based Van der Linde will also be joined by Munster signing Wian du Preez, who is flying out to join the South African tour, giving both Munster and Leinster fans a taste of what frontrow ability will appear in Magners League and Heineken Cup matches.

Van der Linde made the last of his Test appearances for South Africa against Australia in a Tri-Nations match in August 2008 and his most recent appearance for Leinster was in the European Champion’s 23-6 win over Cardiff Blues last month. He made his Springbok debut as a 22-year-old against Scotland in 2002 and was a member of the World Cup winning squad of 2007.

“It’s fantastic that we’re able to call on a player with CJ’s experience to join the squad,” said Springboks’ coach Peter de Villiers. “With such a tight schedule it is also helpful to be able to bring in someone who has been part of the group before, knows the systems and will settle in quickly. CJ is also a specialist tighthead who will provide the type of cover we will need,” de Villiers added.

The Ireland squad, which assembled at the team hotel in Killiney on Sunday night, will be announced tomorrow rather than the traditional Tuesday as the first Test is against Australia on Sunday in Croke Park. Coach Declan Kidney is sticking to the six day run in as in most Test matches. The Ireland A side to face Tonga at Ravenhill on Friday night will be selected today at lunchtime.