Springbok injuries a concern as they head for Ireland

SPRINGBOK midfielder Jean de Villiers will stay at home when the rest of his team-mates depart on a two-match tour of Ireland and Scotland later today.

It has been confirmed that the 26-year-old centre will be out of action for three weeks with a rib cartilage injury — suffered in the 105-13 World Cup warm-up victory against Namibia on Wednesday evening.

De Villiers was tackled in the back when trying to off-load in the 15-try rout over Ireland’s Group D opponents.