Rugby Tri-Nations: South Africa suffered yet another injury blow ahead of this afternoon's Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Pretoria when loose forward Joe van Niekerk was ruled out.
The Springboks have already lost International Rugby Board 2004 Player of the Year Schalk Burger to a career-threatening neck injury and in-form Juan Smith went down in midweek with a thigh strain.
Van Niekerk had been pencilled in to replace Smith in the starting line-up but suffered a neck injury yesterday morning.
Pedrie Wannenburg has been brought into the match 22.
The 21-year-old Pierre Spies was named on the bench when van Niekerk moved up to the starting line-up, but coach Jake White said his starting number seven had not yet been finalised.
Mobile reserve lock Albert van den Berg, who also has experience of playing in the backrow, could start at flanker.
New Zealand may have already clinched the Tri-Nations title but for coach Graham Henry today's Test offers the chance to win in South Africa for the first time in his reign. New Zealand's last victory there came the last time they played in Pretoria, on July 19th, 2003, when they won 52-16.
SOUTH AFRICA: P Montgomery; A Ndungane, J Fourie, J de Villiers, B Habana; B James, F du Preez; O du Randt, J Smit, CJ van der Linde; J Muller, V Matfield, S Tyibilika, tbc, J Cronjé. Replacements: C Ralepelle, BJ Botha, A van den Berg, P Spies/P Wannenburg, R Pienaar, W Olivier, A Pretorius.
NEW ZEALAND: L MacDonald, R Gear, M Muliaina, L McAlister, S Sivivatu; D Carter, P Weepu; N Tialata, A Oliver, G Somerville; G Rawlinson, A Williams, R Thorne, R McCaw, C Masoe. Replacements: K Mealamu, T Woodcock, C Jack, J Collins, J Cowan, S Tuitupou, I Toeava.
Referee: A Lewis (Ireland)
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