Cameron Hanekom was withdrawn at halftime during the Bulls' 54-26 win over Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday with a lower back strain, raising concerns ahead of the Springboks' Nations Championship tour to Europe.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann made the precautionary call at the interval, opting to replace Hanekom with Marcell Coetzee — who went on to score a brace — rather than risk aggravating the injury with the tour imminent.
"He struggled a little bit with his lower back quite early in the game, and we asked to push him until halftime, and credit to him, he hung in there and got to halftime," Ackermann said. "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. So no, he's fine, but he was battling with his lower back."
No replacement has been called into the touring squad, suggesting Hanekom is expected to travel with the group. The Springboks face Italy on Saturday, with the squad announcement scheduled for Monday night.
The tour has already been significantly disrupted by the absences of Cheslin Kolbe, André Esterhuizen, Handré Pollard, Deon Fourie and Eben Etzebeth, with six debutants named in the squad. A further complication emerged when Bongi Mbonambi was withdrawn from the Stormers' match-day squad with a hamstring strain, ending any prospect of a late call-up for the hooker.