Australia v South Africa, Tri-Nations, Brisbane, July 24
Springboks lose Bekker to injury
Scrum.com
July 19, 2010
South Africa lock Andries Bekker prepares to pass during the Captain's Run, Wesptac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, July 16, 2010
Andries Bekker has been ruled out of the Springboks' meeting with Australia © Getty Images
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South Africa will be without lock Andries Bekker when they look to get their Tri-Nations campaign back-on-track against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Stormers second-row picked up a back injury in last weekend's demoralising 31-17 loss to the All Blacks in Wellington. He will now return to South Africa for treatment on what is described as an 'acute disc injury'.

Bulls lock Flip van der Merwe will likely step onto the bench, having been called in to replace the suspended Bakkies Botha, with Danie Rossouw and Victor Matfield continuing as the starting second-row combination.

"It is a setback but we will have to deal with it," Springbok coach Peter De Villiers said. "That is part of the game. We have to rely on the strength within our squad for the Test. It is a blow for Andries too as he was just coming back from a previous injury."

Jean de Villiers will also miss the game due to a two-week suspension handed down for a dangerous tackle, but the rest of the squad is fit and ready for training.

"As expected there are a few niggles but it is good news for us that we came away from Wellington with just a single serious injury and can assemble a strong line-up for the Brisbane Test," De Villiers added.

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