Smit out injured as Matfield takes reins

Springbok captain John Smit has been ruled out of Saturday's first Test against Italy because of a hamstring strain sustained in Saturday's 42-17 win over France at Newlands.

Consideration had been given to resting Smit for the match in Witbank anyway, but the decision was made for coach Peter de Villiers after scans on the injury revealed a grade one hamstring tear.

"The usual rehabilitation for that injury is 10 days," Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts told a media briefing yesterday.

"We hope John will be ready for the second Test [against Italy]. We managed him throughout the game at Newlands and I was in constant contact to see if the injury was getting worse. It wasn't, though he couldn't fully exert himself."

Smit's injury paves the way for Bulls' hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle to make only his second start for the Boks in his 10th Test. His previous start was the third Test against the British & Irish Lions at Ellis Park last year.

Ralepelle played 40 minutes against the French after Smit cried off at halftime, and he produced a sparkling display that showed he has the potential to succeed at the highest level.

An injury-plagued career and few starting chances at the Bulls have hampered his development, but after three consecutive Vodacom Cup matches [more than he has managed in the previous three seasons], he is hitting the form that made him an under-21 star.

Lock Victor Matfield will lead the Boks for the 11th time in Smit's absence and for the first time since the record 53-8 win over Australia at Ellis Park in 2008.

Another concern is the fitness of flank Schalk Burger, who suffered an ankle injury against France. He is expected to receive the all-clear later this week, but Bulls flank Dewald Potgieter will ready himself for a start in case Burger fails to respond to treatment.

De Villiers has hinted that there would be several other changes, which might include Jean de Villiers and Butch James forming an unusual centre pairing.

"We always said we'd use these two Tests to ease our minds regarding certain questions," De Villiers said. "We're not rebuilding, just re-organising a bit.

"John's injury is a big blow. The calmness he brings to the team is immense. That's why we couldn't start without him against France. But Victor is more than competent. We won our first Test in Dunedin [in 2008] under him."

Bulls' second-choice hooker Bandise Maku and prop CJ van der Linde have also joined the squad, while centres Jaque Fourie and Wynand Olivier, as well as lock Danie Rossouw, have been released from duty for the week.

"Danie has played a lot in recent weeks and this is an opportunity to give him some recovery time," De Villiers said. "He is the first-choice lock at the moment, but we are lucky to have Bakkies Botha available among the three locks we can consider for the Test.

"Jaque and Wynand have also played a lot of rugby, and we are fortunate to have so many top centres to choose from too."