Matfield becomes 12th World Cup Springbok to miss tour
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Lock Victor Matfield has withdrawn from South Africa’s squad for the one-off test with Wales on November 24, becoming the 12th member of the World Cup-winning squad to miss the tour.
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced he had been released due to personal commitments and would be replaced by uncapped Free State Cheetahs lock Barend Pieterse.
The SARU also announced uncapped Western Province hooker Tiaan Liebenberg would replace captain John Smit in the match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on December 1.
Smit has not been released by his French club, Clermont Auvergne, for the match.
The other absentees are fullback Percy Montgomery, props BJ Botha and Gurthro Steenkamp, looseforwards Danie Rossouw and Wikus van Heerden and centre Jean de Villiers, who are all injured.
Flyhalf Butch James, hooker Gary Botha and winger Ashwin Willemse have joined clubs in England and France and were not selected, while prop Os du Randt and number eight Bob Skinstad have retired.
(Reporting by Andy Colquhoun; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Lock Victor Matfield has withdrawn from South Africa’s squad for the one-off test with Wales on November 24, becoming the 12th member of the World Cup-winning squad to miss the tour.
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced he had been released due to personal commitments and would be replaced by uncapped Free State Cheetahs lock Barend Pieterse.
The SARU also announced uncapped Western Province hooker Tiaan Liebenberg would replace captain John Smit in the match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on December 1.
Smit has not been released by his French club, Clermont Auvergne, for the match.
The other absentees are fullback Percy Montgomery, props BJ Botha and Gurthro Steenkamp, looseforwards Danie Rossouw and Wikus van Heerden and centre Jean de Villiers, who are all injured.
Flyhalf Butch James, hooker Gary Botha and winger Ashwin Willemse have joined clubs in England and France and were not selected, while prop Os du Randt and number eight Bob Skinstad have retired.
(Reporting by Andy Colquhoun; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
© 2008 Reuters Click for restrictions
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