Rautenbach, who has not played a minute of rugby this year, had cartilage removed from his knee in an operation last weekend and has finally given up on playing.

Coach Jake White gave him as much time as possible but has now called up Free State's CJ van der Linde as the official prop replacement on the bench.

CJ's been part of the squad for two weeks now and hopefully will bring something to the game from the bench, said White.

He's a local boy and knows the ground very well. In front of his home supporters, let's see what he can offer us.

The Blue Bulls' Danie Coetzee also joined the squad on Tuesday as cover for the hookers, although White's request to bring Western Province's Neil de Kock into the squad, also as cover, has fallen on deaf ears.

It's not the Springbok coach's job to run after players, said White.