Injuries to six players disrupted the Springboks preparations for the Tri-Nations on Wednesday, with Gaffie du Toit and Albert van den Berg ruled out of the home leg of the competition.

The Springboks are up against the All Blacks at Newlands on July 21 and had their first training session at Bishops in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Van den Berg injured his sternum in South Africa's second Test against France in Durban. Springbok coach Harry Viljoen was hopeful that the lanky lineout champion would be available for the second Test, against Australia in Pretoria, but Van den Berg didn't even join the squad when they assembled on Monday.

Du Toit had to withdraw from the Test against Italy after sustaining an ankle injury in training, but was included in the 28-man squad for the home leg of the Tri-Nations. On Monday an orthopedic specialist in Cape Town examined the Natal Sharks star and confirmed that the utility back sustained a partial rupture of one of his ankle ligaments.

Due to the nature and severity of the injury he has been advised to rest for at least a further four weeks.

First-choice hooker John Smit, newcomers Johann van Niekerk (loose-forward) and Marius Joubert (centre), and lock Johan Ackermann were forced to sit out Wednesday's session.

Smit is still suffering from the abdominal muscle strain sustained against Italy and according to team management he is responding well to rest and therapy. The fiery Sharks hooker is only expected to return to the training field on Monday.

Van Niekerk suffers from the same injury and he will probably practice again on Saturday. Ackermann has bruising of the thigh after Friday night's Currie Cup game for the Lions against the Sharks and indications are that he should be ready to resume training on Friday.

Joubert has a mild ankle sprain and according to team management he is responding well to treatment. The exciting Boland centre will hopefully be back in training later this week.

Viljoen said he would not be replacing Van den Berg and Du Toit, adding that the Springboks will mis Van den Berg. "Albert is a valuable player and one of the best locks in the world. His work rate is of the highest in the world and he is one of the better contesters of lineout ball in world rugby. We are going to miss him," said the coach.

Viljoen wasn't too concerned about the other injured players, saying they only have "light" injuries.