South Africa coach Jake White has been dealt a blow with the news that back row Pierre Spies has been ruled out of Rugby World Cup 2007 following the detection of clots in his lungs.
The 22-year-old, who has won nine Springbok caps since his debut against Australia in 2006, faces a long lay off as South Africa Team Doctor Yusuf Hassan has said he must not participate in any contact sport for between six and eight months.
“It’s a huge loss for the team,” admitted White. “He is such a great player who would have played a huge role in our campaign in France. It would have been fascinating to see him in action with the likes of Schalk Burger at the World Cup.”
Spies added: “It would have been great to be in France, but I must accept that it is good that they diagnosed the problem much earlier. Matters could have been worse had I continued playing. I wish the team all the best in France.”
The void left by Spies’ withdrawal in White’s 30-man squad was filled on Tuesday by Bismarck du Plessis, the 23-year-old hooker who made his Springbok debut against Australia in the Tri Nations earlier this month.
South Africa squad:
Forwards (16): Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, Gary Botha, Schalk Burger, Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Bob Skinstad, John Smit (Captain), Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert Van Den Berg, Wikus Van Heerden, CJ Van Der Linde.
Backs (14): Jean de Villiers, Fourie Du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Andre Pretorius, Francois Steyn, Ashwin Willemse.
dis guy has played for winning side of RWC in 1995, and hez 35 year 8th of September, on 9th Spring boks suppose to play againts Samoa in Paris 
