Rugby: Another Springbok prop goes down

South Africa prop CJ van der Linde. Photo / Getty Images

MARSEILLE - South African tighthead prop CJ van der Linde will miss Monday's rugby World Cup quarterfinal clash with Fiji after injuring a knee in training overnight.

Springbok coach Jake White said van der Linde would not be fit to play this weekend but would be available should the team progress to the semifinals.

"The good news is that it's a sprain which means a bit of conservative treatment and he should be fine for next week if we beat Fiji," said White.

White said Van der Linde's place in the starting 15 was likely to be taken by replacement Jannie du Plessis, who arrives in France later today.

Du Plessis was called into the squad on Monday in place of first-choice tighthead BJ Botha who injured knee ligaments in Monday's pool match against the United States.

"Jannie will have to start," said White. "Gurthro will come on to the bench and we also have (hooker) John Smit who can move over to prop if Jannie doesn't last the 80 minutes."

- REUTERS