skywalker
05-25-2008, 01:30 PM
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South Africa will be without World Cup-winners Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez and Jacque Fourie for both of its upcoming Tests against Wales.
Burger, the powerful loose-forward, and centre Fourie are both out of action with knee ligament damage while halfback Du Preez is recovering from a fractured hand.
The Springboks have also had to rule out Saracens-bound loose-forward Wikus Van Heerden for the first Test following knee surgery.
South Africa's injury report will make pleasant reading for Wales, who is missing six of the side that won the Grand Slam in March.
Wales faces the world champions in Bloemfontein on June 7 and Pretoria a week later without leading No.9s Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel, plus fullback Lee Byrne, centre Gavin Henson, flanker Martyn Williams and hooker Huw Bennett.
The Springboks have called Bolla Conradie into their 41-man training squad following injuries to du Preez and Bulls halfback Heini Adams, though he could return from a bone bruise in time for the second Test.
Both Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner and dynamic Cheetahs loose forward Duanne Vermeulen will be unavailable for the Wales Tests.
New Springboks head coach Pieter de Villiers will confirm his final squad of 30 for the Tests on Wednesday.
South Africa will include Europe-based stars John Smit and Percy Montgomery, who have been released by Clermont Auvergne and Perpignan, plus Bath first five-eighth Butch James.
South Africa will be without World Cup-winners Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez and Jacque Fourie for both of its upcoming Tests against Wales.
Burger, the powerful loose-forward, and centre Fourie are both out of action with knee ligament damage while halfback Du Preez is recovering from a fractured hand.
The Springboks have also had to rule out Saracens-bound loose-forward Wikus Van Heerden for the first Test following knee surgery.
South Africa's injury report will make pleasant reading for Wales, who is missing six of the side that won the Grand Slam in March.
Wales faces the world champions in Bloemfontein on June 7 and Pretoria a week later without leading No.9s Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel, plus fullback Lee Byrne, centre Gavin Henson, flanker Martyn Williams and hooker Huw Bennett.
The Springboks have called Bolla Conradie into their 41-man training squad following injuries to du Preez and Bulls halfback Heini Adams, though he could return from a bone bruise in time for the second Test.
Both Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner and dynamic Cheetahs loose forward Duanne Vermeulen will be unavailable for the Wales Tests.
New Springboks head coach Pieter de Villiers will confirm his final squad of 30 for the Tests on Wednesday.
South Africa will include Europe-based stars John Smit and Percy Montgomery, who have been released by Clermont Auvergne and Perpignan, plus Bath first five-eighth Butch James.