Boks No 8 out of ABs test

The Springboks have lost Uzair Cassiem for the All Blacks test with the backrower sidelined by a rib injury.

Cassiem hurt his ribs in the first half of South Africa’s 27-27 draw with the Wallabies in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Springbok management confirmed he would not play against the All Blacks in Cape Town this weekend.

Sharks youngster Jean-Luc du Preez, who replaced Cassiem against Australia, is favoured to start at No 8 against Kieran Read’s men, although neither he or fellow back rowers Siya Kolisi and Francois Louw are specialists at the back of the scrum.

‘‘If needed, then a replacement player will be called up in due course,’’ Springboks management said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Kolisi believes the Springboks have improved since their 57-0 shellacking by the All Blacks at Albany a fortnight ago and will be better in Cape Town.

‘‘Against the All Blacks‚ everything went against us from the bounce of the ball to not scoring points when we should have,’’ the Springboks vice captain said.

‘‘They punished our mistakes‚ but this week we managed to put it behind us.

‘‘We gave Australia the respect they deserved. They are also in a rebuilding phase just like us and we knew they would come hard at us.

Springboks coach Allister Coetzee warned Boks fans not to get too carried away, saying: ‘‘To think that we can just go and topple the All Blacks easily would be living in a fool’s paradise’’.

Kolisi said the All Blacks would be ’’a different challenge so we will prepare from Sunday and go all out for the last game in the Championship’’.

‘‘We have improved and that’s what we want to do. You can’t ask the players to calm down and not try and play but we have to be more clinical in our execution.’’