Springbok’s hard man Bakkies Botha is out of Sunday’s test against the Wallabies and the rest of the Rugby World Cup after picking up another injury.

The veteran lock had recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him to miss last weekend’s test against Samoa but at lineout practice yesterday he fell badly during the first throw of the session and damaged his achilles.

There are three changes to the team that beat Samoa with Captain John Smit and Gurthro Steenkamp returning to the front row, while Jean de Villiers resumes his place in the No12 jersey in place of the injured Frans Steyn.

Wing JP Pieterson has been named in the starting XV but there is a question mark over whether he’ll be fit to play because of a problem with a knee and he will be monitored closely over the next few days.

South Africa play Australia in Wellington at 5pm on Sunday and you can catch the live commentary on our sister station, Viti FM with the voice of rugby, Malakai Veisamasama and expert comments from Ilivasi Tabua.


Story by: Paradise Tudrau