The Springboks have been rocked by the news that two of their World Cup winners will spend lengthy spells on the sidelines after succumbing to injury against Argentina.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will have to draw up his Tri-Nations battle plans against without veteran Springbok lock Bakkies Botha and experienced centre Jaque Fourie, after both players were ruled out of the rest of this year's Tri-Nations on Monday.

Springbok general manager of national teams Andy Marinos confirmed that Botha suffered a ruptured knee ligament during Saturday's Mandela Tribute Test, and that Fourie, who made his comeback Test appearance for the Boks after a long injury lay-off, sustained a broken cheekbone after a clash of heads with Argentina wing José María Núñez Piossek.

Botha will be replaced in the Bok Tri-Nations squad by fellow Blue Bulls and World Cup winner Danie Rossouw.

The unfortunate Fourie will require surgical correction to his cheek, and the player is expected to be out of action for around six weeks.

Springbok and Sharks star Francois Steyn will also make his way back into the squad, after he was rested from the Mandela Tribute Test this weekend.

"Frans was always part of the 30-man Tri-Nations squad," said Marinos on Monday.

"Danie was not initially part of that, but obviously with the injury to Bakkies Botha, he's now been pulled into that squad for the remainder of the inbound Tri-Nations Test series.

"Bakkies went for a scan after the weekend's match [against Argentina], and he's got a ruptured posterior ligament. On advice from the orthopedic specialist, we're going to adopt a conservative management process on Botha, which means that he'll not undergo any surgery. Instead Bakkies will undergo extensive rehabilitation to strengthen the muscles around the knee.

"We anticipate that he will be out for the remainder of the Tri-Nations, and for the majority of the Currie Cup.

"We'll continue to monitor his progress, and hopefully he will be fit for selection for the end-of-year tour.

Jaque Fourie's nightmare run of injuries seems to have no end.

The unfortunate Lions centre will now spend yet another extended period on the sidelines. Fourie has already worked hard this year overcoming a groin injury, for which he had corrective surgery at the end of last year.

He made his comeback for the Lions in the Super 14, but only lasted two matches before picking up an elbow injury, which kept him out of the game for another few months.

But Fourie's bad luck continued on Saturday, and he left the field after only minutes of his comeback Test for the Springboks.

"A CT scan revealed that Jaque Fourie suffered a depressed fracture of the cheekbone," confirmed Marinos.

"He has to undergo surgery once the inflammation is down. We anticipate the surgery to take place Wednesday or Thursday.

"He is expected to be out for six weeks, which rules him out for the rest of the Tri-Nations, and a part of the Currie Cup as well."

Marinos allayed fears about the fitness of both Rossouw and Steyn, who suffered minor scares while on Currie Cup duty for their provinces over the weekend.

Rossouw was found to have an elevated heartbeat after his match, while Steyn suffered a knock in the Sharks' 32-10 win over Western Province.

"Danie did spend Friday evening in hospital, and was monitored by a specialist. He will be held back from training today [Monday], but should be fit to resume full training tomorrow [Tuesday]," said Marinos.

"Frans Steyn suffered a contusion in his quadriceps against Western Province on Friday. He will not partake in full training today, but will be back in training tomorrow."

Marinos also confirmed that Bok wing Jongi Nokwe will make way for Bryan Habana for this weekend's match against the All Blacks.

Nokwe scored a fantastic solo try in his debut Test match against Argentina on the weekend, and will surely get more opportunities in the future.

However, the Boks will need all their big guns like IRB Player of the Year Habana in their line-up against New Zealand in what promises to be a hard-fought battle at Newlands.

365