South Africa's Delport out with strained hamstring

DURBAN - South Africa's injury woes deepened today with Thinus Delport's forced withdrawal from the squad to play New Zealand in the Tri-nations test in Pretoria on Saturday.

Delport injured a hamstring during training on Tuesday and failed a fitness test on Wednesday, South African communications manager Mark Keohane told Reuters.

"He has just strained his hamstring rather than torn it, and his withdrawal from this match is a precautionary measure," Keohane said.

Delport returned from Gloucester to play his first test since 2001 in the Springboks' 26-22 win over Australia in Cape Town on Saturday.

The match claimed fullback Jaco van der Westhuyzen, who injured knee ligaments, and centre Marius Joubert, who hurt his shoulder.

Delport, a career fullback, won his 13th cap on the left wing on Saturday and his absence will force Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli to revise his selection before announcing the team on Thursday.

Livewire utility back Brent Russell, who replaced the injured Van der Westhuyzen at fullback in Cape Town, could find himself on the left wing with regular first five-eighths Andre Pretorius, who rejoined the squad this week, named at fullback.

- REUTERS