Rugby World Cup winning winger JP Pietersen has been ruled out of South Africa’s Rugby Championship match against New Zealand.
The Springbok winger strained a hamstring and has been replaced in South Africa’s starting line up by Cornal Hendriks.
Pietersen was orignally named in South Africa’s starting line up but pulled up in training on Wednesday and has been replaced.
With Hendricks moving off the bench and into the starting lineup, uncapped utility back Lionel Mapoe has been named among the replacements.
“It’s a huge setback to lose JP for a big match such as this one as he has been in good form and brings valuable experience to our backline, but Cornal played against the All Blacks last year, scored a brilliant try in Wellington and is raring to go,” said Meyer.
“Lionel was not available for selection because of injury when we got together as a squad a few weeks ago and Jesse Kriel grabbed his opportunity with both hands. That is why I am delighted that Lionel is now getting his chance.
“We had a number of options on the bench, but decided on Lionel as he covers wing and outside centre, which is what we had in JP.”
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux , 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel , 12 Damian de Allende , 11 Bryan Habana , 10 Handre Pollard , 9 Ruan Pienaar (vc) , 8 Schalk Burger (c) , 7 Francois Louw , 6 Heinrich Brussow , 5 Lood de Jager , 4 Eben Etzebeth , 3 Jannie du Plessis , 2 Bismarck du Plessis , 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss , 17 Trevor Nyakane , 18 Vincent Koch , 19 Flip van der Merwe , 20 Warren Whiteley , 21 Cobus Reinach , 22 Pat Lambie , 23 Lionel Mapoe
