Pieter-Steph du Toit has been ruled out for three months with a sternum injury and replaced in the Springbok squad by Franco van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe, the Lions lock who is on loan with the Sharks, will join the squad in Durban as soon as possible.
Du Toit has been struggling with a sternum injury for some time. Following further investigation in the Springbok camp, and several specialist opinions, it was decided to withdraw him from the squad.
'Pieter-Steph is only 20 and the decision was taken, in consultation with his union and in the interest of his long term playing career, to withdraw him from the squad,' said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts. 'This injury should be optimally managed and the specialists we consulted are of the opinion he requires surgery, which will put him out of action for approximately three months.'
Du Toit will therefore also miss the end of the Sharks' Super Rugby campaign.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Image
