Rugby: South Africa call up Bismarck for Spies

View photos: World Cup injury count

CAPE TOWN - Hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been called into the Springboks World Cup squad to replace injured loose forward Pierre Spies, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Tuesday.

Spies was withdrawn from the squad on Monday and ruled out of rugby for six-to-eight months because of blood clots on his lungs.

No explanation was given as to why Spies had been replaced by a hooker, although only two hookers had been included in the original squad.

Du Plessis, 23, made his test debut earlier this month against Australia and will understudy Springbok captain John Smit and reserve hooker Gary Botha.

- REUTERS