Springbok wing JP Pietersen faces a race against time to be fit for South Africa’s Rugby World Cup quarter final against Australia on Sunday.

Pietersen has been given until Thursday to prove his fitness for the knock out clash.

He picked up a knee injury during South Africa’s 13-5 victory over Samoa last week and was not able to train with his team mates on Wednesday.

Bryan Habana, who is recovering from a haematoma and Francois Hougaard who suffered a blow to his head, were part of a rehabilitation squad that included flanker Heinrich Brussow.

The trio trained under the watchful eye of the Springbok medical staff while their team mates made some final adjustments ahead of the knock-out match.

The Springbok team will be announced on Thursday (Wednesday evening SA-time) and chances are that Pietersen will not be included in the team.

“I feel confident but I haven’t run yet so I’ll feel more confident if I had a good running session behind me,” said Pietersen.

“You definitely don’t want to play at 80 percent of your ability on Sunday and that is why I’m doing my fitness test tomorrow and if I don’t feel comfortable I’ll probably have to pull out.”

Should Pietersen not make it in time, he will miss out on his chance to face up to Wallaby wing Digby Ioane who he described as a game breaker in the Australian squad.

“I think he (Ioane) is the only winger that is left there because Drew Mitchell is also injured, but he has been amazing for them and you could see in all the matches he has been a game breaker for them and has put them on the front foot so his return is a big boost for them.

“You always want to match yourself against the best players and he is has proven that he is one of the outstanding wingers. I played against him in the Tri-Nations and it was quite a good challenge,” said Pietersen

Pietersen has been given until Thursday to prove his fitness for the knock out clash.

He picked up a knee injury during South Africa’s 13-5 victory over Samoa last week and was not able to train with his team mates on Wednesday.

Bryan Habana, who is recovering from a haematoma and Francois Hougaard who suffered a blow to his head, were part of a rehabilitation squad that included flanker Heinrich Brussow.

The trio trained under the watchful eye of the Springbok medical staff while their team mates made some final adjustments ahead of the knock-out match.

The Springbok team will be announced on Thursday (Wednesday evening SA-time) and chances are that Pietersen will not be included in the team.

“I feel confident but I haven’t run yet so I’ll feel more confident if I had a good running session behind me,” said Pietersen.

“You definitely don’t want to play at 80 percent of your ability on Sunday and that is why I’m doing my fitness test tomorrow and if I don’t feel comfortable I’ll probably have to pull out.”

Should Pietersen not make it in time, he will miss out on his chance to face up to Wallaby wing Digby Ioane who he described as a game breaker in the Australian squad.

“I think he (Ioane) is the only winger that is left there because Drew Mitchell is also injured, but he has been amazing for them and you could see in all the matches he has been a game breaker for them and has put them on the front foot so his return is a big boost for them.

“You always want to match yourself against the best players and he is has proven that he is one of the outstanding wingers. I played against him in the Tri-Nations and it was quite a good challenge,” said Pietersen.