South Africa have been dealt another major blow ahead of their first Test against Ireland on Saturday with flanker Juan Smith forced to withdraw because of a hamstring injury.
Smith becomes the seventh Springbok in the 22-man squad named by coach Jake White three weeks ago to pull out and is the third to leave due to injury this week.
The flanker felt a hamstring twinge in practice and it was confirmed that he will be out for up to five weeks with the injury, putting his participation in next months Tri Nations in doubt.
He is replaced in the starting line-up by Jacques Cronje, the Blue Bulls flanker who joined the squad as replacement for Joe van Niekerk two weeks ago.
Since naming his squad, White has lost winger Jaque Fourie (hamstring), flanker Van Niekerk (groin), prop Faan Rautenbach (knee), centre De Wet Barry (ankle), winger Ashwin Willemse (knee), full-back Percy Montgomery (hand injury) and now Smith.
Fourie has since been recalled since Barry was sidelined, but doubts still linger over his fitness.