Influential lock Bakkies Botha has been withdrawn from the South Africa team to play Ireland in this afternoon’s GUINNESS Series Test at Croke Park (kick-off 2.30pm).
Bakkies Botha, who was receiving treatment for a back injury, had been given until Saturday morning to prove his fitness.
But the Blue Bulls forward has been ruled out for South Africa’s first trip to Croke Park.
Botha’s place in the ‘Boks starting line-up has been taken by Andries Bekker, who actually played for Athlone Under-18s during a spell in Ireland as a teenager.
Meanwhile, Bekker’s place on the bench has been taken by scrum half Francois Hougaard.
SOUTH AFRICA TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v Ireland, GUINNESS Series 2009, Croke Park, Saturday, November 28, kick-off 2.30pm):
15 – Zane Kirchner (Blue Bulls)
14 – JP Pietersen (Sharks)
13 – Jaque Fourie (Lions)
12 – Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls)
11 – Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls)
10 – Morne Steyn (Blue Bulls)
9 – Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls)
1 – Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
2 – John Smit (Sharks) (capt)
3 – BJ Botha (Ulster)
4 – Andries Bekker (Western Province)
5 – Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls)
6 – Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs)
7 – Schalk Burger (Western Province)
8 – Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls)
Replacements:
16 – Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
17 – CJ van der Linde (Leinster)
18 – Francois Hougaard (Blue Bulls)
19 – Jean Deysel (Sharks)
20 – Dewald Potgieter (Blue Bulls)
21 – Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)
22 – Jean de Villiers (Munster)
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