Wales flank Sam Warburton has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a torn calf muscle and now seems set to miss the remainder of the November international programme.
Rugby365
The Cardiff Blues back-row was a member of the Wales pack that caused Australia plenty of problems at the Millennium Stadium last weekend even though the Wallabies eventually won 25-16.
But Warburton has now been sidelined from Wales’s clash with South Africa on Saturday, as well as the subsequent home November encounters with Fiji and Tri-Nations title-holders New Zealand.
However, fullback Lee Byrne and loose forward Ryan Jones both trained on Tuesday after missing the Australia match through injury.
“Sam has a grade two tear to his calf and will now be two to three weeks in recovery,” said Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies.
“Lee and Ryan both took an active part in training this (Tuesday) morning and will be monitored throughout the week, but both should be available to the coaches for selection before the weekend.”
Warburton’s absence means 96-times capped Martyn Williams, on the bench against the Wallabies, is set to start.
Byrne missed the Australia game after breaking a bone in his hand, but if he is fit to face South Africa it would enable Wales coach Warren Gatland to move the talented James Hook from fullback to centre, or even flyhalf – Hook’s preferred position.
Elsewhere in the backs, Wales remain without the still injured trio of wing Leigh Halfpenny and centres Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts.
Gatland is due to name his team to play South Africa, who started their European tour with a 23-21 victory against Ireland in Dublin last weekend, on Thursday.
The New Zealander is bidding to oversee what would be only Wales’s second win against the Springboks, and first since 1999, in 25 meetings dating back 104 years.