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Matfield unlikely to feature against Wales

Cape Town - Veteran lock Victor Matfield is likely to be excluded from the Springboks’ 23-man squad for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday (kick-off 17:00 SA time).

Matfield’s recovery from a hamstring injury is taking longer than initially anticipated and all indications are that he will remain sidelined this weekend.

This means Pieter-Steph du Toit will retain his place as reserve lock, with Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth continuing their second row alliance.

Coach Heyneke Meyer is not expected to make too many surprises to his side for the do-or-die encounter.

Frans Malherbe appears likely to start ahead of Jannie du Plessis at tighthead prop, while a  fit-again JP Pietersen will return to the starting team at the expense of Lwazi Mvovo.

The Springbok team will be announced at 11:00 (SA time) on Wednesday.

Possible Springbok starting team:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (captain), 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

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