Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

Forwards Ryan Kankowski, Hilton Lobberts and Wian du Preez have been called up to the Springbok squad ahead of South Africa's tour of the UK for coming matches with Wales and a Barbarians team.

This follows the injuries to Bulls trio Dannie Rossouw, Wikus Van Heerden and Gurthro Steenkamp, possibly during the Rugby World Cup in France.

Zola Yeye, team manger, confirmed that the three World Cup players would not travel with the squad to the end-of-year tour.

He said both Rossouw and Van Heerden were out due to neck injuries while Steenkamp, another starter from South Africa's World Cup final victory last month, injured a hand.

Yeye said the players were expected to join the rest of the squad in Sandton yesterday afternoon.

The squad leaves tomorrow, with their first game against Wales in Cardiff next Saturday, November 24.

A week later they play against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Yeye said South Africa's World Cup winning captain John Smit, who is in France, is expected to join the team later in Cardiff.