South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee has added flanker Willem Alberts to his Springbok Rugby Championship squad preparing to face the All Blacks.
Alberts has been called into the squad as a replacement for Lood de Jager who has been ruled out of action for up to two weeks with a severely bruised knee.
The lock injured his knee on Saturday in the 23-17 loss suffered by the Springboks against the Wallabies in Brisbane. Following recent injuries to Siya Kolisi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe and the specific loose forward need in the team, it was decided to call on the versatile and experienced Alberts.
Alberts currently plays for French club Stade Francais and will join the Springbok squad on Monday in Christchurch.
He can also play at number eight and lock and has already earned 38 Test caps for the Springboks.
Faf de Klerk and Johan Goosen, who both underwent scans on Saturday evening after the match, will remain with the squad and both players will be given enough time to recover from their niggles. However, the squad have sufficient cover in both positions.
Scrumhalf De Klerk received a blow to the chest while fullback Goosen landed awkwardly on his ankle after he contested a high ball.
The Springboks travelled to New Zealand from Brisbane on Sunday and their expected time of arrival at their Christchurch destination is approximately midnight.
The squad will have gym recovery sessions on Monday and they resume their field training on Tuesday morning.
