South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe will miss the World Cup semi-final against Wales on Sunday due to an ankle injury.
S’bu Nkosi replaces Kolbe in the only change from the Springboks lineup that dispatched Japan in the quarter-final.
Star wing Kolbe picked up the injury against Italy in the pool stage and, after missing the win over Canada, aggravated his ankle against Japan last weekend.
“It is a big blow. Everybody knows the quality of player he is, and the contribution he has made,” said South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus.
“But if we looked purely at his performance in the previous game, his ankle definitely had an influence on his performance.
“We just feel a fully fit S’bu and the way S’bu has been performing, if you compare the two, a 70 per cent Cheslin isn’t better than a 100 per cent S’bu.
“So, it is a blow, but we have full confidence in S’bu, especially with the way he has been playing. He certainly deserves his chance.”
