Wales suffer double injury blow

Cape Town - Wales have suffered a double injury blow ahead of this weekend's Test match against the Springboks in Cardiff.

While they have been boosted by the news that loose forward Taulupe Faletau has been released from his club, Bath, to play on Saturday, Wales go into their clash against the Boks without the services of lock Jake Ball and loose forward Justin Tipuric. 

Ball sustained a shoulder injury in Saturday's 33-18 defeat to New Zealand and he will now require shoulder surgery while Tipuric sustained a quad injury. 

The Springboks, meanwhile, have injury woes of their own as loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira battles a groin strain. 

Malcom Marx is back for the visitors, but they will also be without Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw and Franco Mostert, who must return to their clubs due to the game being played outside of an official international window. 

Kick-off on Saturday is at 16:30 (SA time).

Wales squad update: Two players released from squad - Jake Ball suffered dislocated shoulder v NZ and will undergo surgery. Justin Tipuric sustained quad injury and returns to Ospreys for further treatment.
Get well soon lads! pic.twitter.com/06QS8G97qQ

— Welsh Rugby Union ?? (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 28, 2017

Thanks for all the support and messages over the last couple days much appreciated. Best of luck to the @WelshRugbyUnion lads this weekend ??

— Jake Ball (@Jake_Ball4) November 28, 2017