Cameron Hanekom is carrying a lower back strain into the Nations Championship tour after Bulls coach Johan Ackermann withdrew him at halftime during Saturday's 54-26 win over Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld as a precautionary measure.
Ackermann confirmed Hanekom began struggling early in the match but was asked to push through to the break. "At halftime the medical staff wanted to treat him and I just felt we don't need that. We've got Marcell, so let's just make it a straight swap, to protect him as well," Ackermann said. Marcell Coetzee, who replaced him, scored a brace as the Bulls ran out comfortable winners.
No replacement has been called into the Springbok squad, suggesting Hanekom is expected to travel to Europe, where the Boks open the tour against Italy on Saturday. The team announcement is due Monday night.
The injury concern compounds an already depleted touring party. The Boks have already been forced to plan without Cheslin Kolbe, André Esterhuizen, Handré Pollard, Deon Fourie and Eben Etzebeth, and named six uncapped players in the squad.
A further blow came with Bongi Mbonambi, who was set to feature for the Stormers this weekend before being withdrawn from the match-day squad with a hamstring strain, effectively ending any prospect of a late call-up to the national group.