The Springboks will have to soldier on without captain Warren Whiteley when they start their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina in Port Elizabeth later this month.
In fact, the groin injury that kept him out of the third and final test against France in June will sideline him for a further month after the start of the competition. It means he will at best be available for the Springboks' game against the All Blacks in Albany on September 16.
More realistically, however, he should be available for the home test against Australia on September 30. But by then the destiny of the Rugby Championships may already be shaped.
It is a big blow for the team, especially after another No8, Duane Vermeulen, was ruled out through injury.
It means Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is likely to again press lock Eben Etzebeth into the role of captain, as he did in the third test against France. Although his best form has eluded him thus far this season, Etzebeth is an experienced campaigner.
His leadership is likely to be severely tested in Whiteley's absence, especially during the Springboks' three away tests in Salta, Perth and Albany.
Coetzee will also have three debutants in his group. Sharks utility back Curwin Bosch, Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant and Sharks No8 Dan du Preez will join his brother Jean-Luc among Coetzee's backrow options.
Gelant stood out in a struggling Bulls backline that scored fewer tries than the Sunwolves this season.
Du Preez has played with increasing confidence and now almost mirrors brother Jean-Luc in a combative Sharks backrow.
Bosch was in the Bok frame but was left out for the tests against France. He was instead required for the Junior Springboks.
The Sharks' utility player has been bracketed as a fullback and flyhalf in the group. Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard is back in the Bok mix after several orthopaedic setbacks kept him from the game's highest form over the last year.
Frans Steyn, however, wants to work on his conditioning after a tough European season and is unavailable for the Championships. Lions tighthead prop Ruan Dreyer is also missing from the squad, but his absence is temporary. His wife is expecting a baby and he will miss the start of the competition as a result.
"All of the Springboks who were in action in the June tests and the latter part of the Super Rugby campaign played very well and I have no doubt that they will bring that form with them when we assemble," explained Coetzee.
"Some players have initially missed out on selection due to various reasons, but this squad is not cast in stone and changes can be made as we progress through the tournament.
"I always said it must be difficult for a player to force himself into the squad, and I am really pleased that through their performances they have again earned selection to the Springbok group."
Springbok squad
Forwards (19): Uzair Cassiem (flank) Cheetahs, Lood de Jager (lock) Bulls, Dan du Preez (flank) Sharks, Jean-Luc du Preez (loose forward) Sharks, Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock) Stormers, Eben Etzebeth (lock) Stormers, Lizo Gqoboka (prop) Bulls, Steven Kitshoff (prop) Stormers, Siya Kolisi (flank) Stormers, Jaco Kriel (loose forward) Lions, Frans Malherbe (prop) Stormers, Malcolm Marx (hooker) Lions, Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) Stormers, Oupa Mohoje (loose forward) Cheetahs, Franco Mostert (lock) Lions, Tendai Mtawarira (prop) Sharks, Trevor Nyakane (prop) Bulls, Coenie Oosthuizen (prop) Sharks, Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker) Sharks.
Backs (15): Curwin Bosch (flyhalf/fullback) Sharks, Andries Coetzee (fullback) Lions, Ross Cronje (scrumhalf) Lions, Damian de Allende (centre) Stormers, Warrick Gelant (fullback) Bulls, Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf) Worcester (England), Elton Jantjies (flyhalf) Lions, Jesse Kriel (centre) Bulls, Dillyn Leyds (utility back) Stormers, Rudy Paige (scrumhalf) Bulls, Handré Pollard (flyhalf) Bulls, Raymond Rhule (wing) Cheetahs, Jan Serfontein (centre) Bulls, Courtnall Skosan (wing) Lions, Francois Venter (centre) Cheetahs.
