Bakkies Botha has failed to recover from a back injury and will be replaced by Andries Bekker for South Africa’s clash with Ireland.

As reported by this website on Wednesday, Botha was always doubtful to feature in the Croke Park Test, and it was confirmed on Friday that he will play no part. The Springbok lock picked up a back injury in the Italy Test which was exacerbated in the flight from Udine to Dublin.

Bekker comes off the bench to replace Botha while scrumhalf Francois Hougaard will now join the replacements. Danie Rossouw, who will start this game at No 8, will cover at lock.

By Jon Cardinelli, in Dublin

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