Lock Bakkies Botha could miss the Springboks' opening match of the World Cup against Wales on Sunday because of an Achilles injury, South Africa's communications manager Andy Colquhoun confirmed on Tuesday.
"At the moment 29 players in the squad are fine and only doubt for the weekend is Bakkies Botha who has got Achilles Tendinosis, which is a chronic problem which is being managed at the moment," Colquhoun said.
Botha, along with wing Bryan Habana, fellow second rowers Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw were seen training separately from their teammates earlier this week.
Colquhoun, however, made it clear that Botha is the only player that is currently out of the reckoning.
"Everybody else is rehabbing and is due for selection."
Should Botha not recover in time, Rossouw will in all likelihood be promoted to the run-on team to partner Matfield in the second row.
Meanwhile utility backs Frans Steyn and Pat Lambie took a full part in training once again without any reaction to the injuries they suffered in the home leg of the Tri-Nations last month.
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