South Africa have called up hooker Bismarck du Plessis into their World Cup squad.
Hooker get surprise call-up
South Africa coach Jake White has called up hooker Bismarck du Plessis into his World Cup squad as a surprise replacement for the injured loose forward Pierre Spies.
The 23-year-old Sharks front-rower made his Test debut earlier this month against Australia. He is likely to be third in line for the number two shirt behind Springbok captain John Smit and reserve hooker Gary Botha.
Spies pulled out of the squad on Monday and has been ruled out of rugby for six-to-eight months due to blood clots on his lungs.
No explanation was given as to why Spies has been replaced by a hooker, although only two hookers were included in the original 30-man Springboks squad.
