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Pietersen out of Boks` finale

Monday 25th August 2008

Ruled out: Pietersen suffers hamstring strain

South Africa have suffered a blow to their final Tri-Nations 2008 match preparations with the news that wing JP Pietersen has been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

Pietersen sustained a grade one strain in the Durban clash against the Wallabies last weekend and will therefore miss this coming Saturday's meeting in Johannesburg against the same side.

Odwa Ndungane has been called up as a replacement and the Sharks flyer has already rejoined the squad at their base in Sandton.

In other injury news, Bismarck du Plessis has had a scan and seen a specialist regarding his knee to further determine the extent of the injury.

Victor Matfield's availability is also in the balance as he injured his groin when landing awkwardly after being pulled down in a line-out. The lock sustained a mild strain and will be assessed again, along with hooker du Plessis, later in the week to determine the pair's readiness to play.

That will also be the case regarding the recovering Bryan Habana who missed the Durban fixture with a hamstring problem.

The Springbok team to face the Wallabies at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday will be named during a media conference at the team hotel on Thursday.