South Africa
Fourie du Preez sidelined for three months
July 1, 2014
Suntory Sungoliath's Fourie Du Preez looks for options, Suntory Sungoliath v Toshiba Brave Lupus, Japanese Top League, Prince Chichibu Stadium, Japan, January 27, 2013
Fourie Du Preez is one of six 2013 springboks sidelined by injury © Getty Images
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Fourie du Preez will miss The Rugby Championship with an ankle injury.

Du Preez was injured early in South Africa's 55-6 rout of Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, and the worst fears of Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer were realised by confirmation on Tuesday that he would be sidelined for three months.

"It is a massive blow to lose a world-class player due to injury," Meyer said. "Fourie is a dynamic leader, one of the vice-captains, and his injury is a huge setback. He has been brilliant since returning to the Springboks last year However, this provides an opportunity for other scrum-halves to prove themselves and make the step up when the opportunity arises."

Bulls winger-cum-scrum-half Francois Hougaard replaced Du Preez against Scotland.

Du Preez is among six 2013 Springboks ruled out of the Rugby Championship by injury. The others are centre Jaque Fourie, locks Flip van der Merwe and Pieter-Steph du Toit, and loose forwards Arno Botha and Pierre Spies.

South Africa host Argentina in the first round on August 16.

© AAP

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