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Cape Town - The Wallabies are set to be dealt a back-row blow before their next two Tests with Pete Samu ruled out for the next month after hyper-extending his knee last weekend.
READ: Springboks lose FIVE key players for Wallaby, All Blacks Tests
According to the Stuff website, Samu is expected to be left out of the Wallabies squad for matches against South Africa and Argentina, leaving a massive hole in the Australian loose trio.
Lukhan Tui is also reportedly set to skip the tour and it is unclear whether he will play for the Wallabies again this year after saying he wanted to spend time with his family.
Tui was involved in a nasty off-field incident with a spectator following the Wallabies' defeat against Argentina on the Gold Coast last Saturday.
Samu had scans on his knee in Canberra this week after meeting Brumbies staff for the first time. It is hoped it will be fit to play in the third Bledisloe Cup and on the end of year tour to Europe.
Samu played for the Crusaders earlier in this year when he answered Wallabies coach Michael Cheika's pleas to play for Australia, eventually gaining clearance from New Zealand Rugby after some testy negotiations.
The absence of Samu and Tui will mean a forward pack reshuffle.
David Pocock and Michael Hooper are both expected to be fit, while Ned Hanigan and Caleb Timu could compete for the chance to join them in the starting XV.
READ: 4 000 tickets remain for Springboks v Wallabies in PE
Meanwhile, outside centre Tevita Kuridrani is also racing the clock to recover from a torn pectoral in time to be a part of the Australian side's end of year plans.
Injuries to Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi left a gaping hole in the Wallabies midfield for the Rugby Championship, but both could return for the Tests scheduled after the tournament.
