Van der Linde drafted into Springbok squad

Leinster tight-head prop CJ van der Linde has been drafted into the Springbok squad as a replacement for Jannie du Plessis, who has withdrawn from the European tour with a hand injury.

Van der Linde won the last of his 56 Test caps against Australia in a Tri-Nations fixture in August 2008.

"It's fantastic that we're able to call on a player with CJ's experience to join the squad," said Bok coach Peter de Villiers.

"With such a tight schedule it is also helpful to be able to bring in someone who has been part of the group before, knows the systems and will settle in quickly. CJ is also a specialist tighthead who will provide the type of cover we will need.

Van der Linde will travel to France on Wednesday where the rest of the squad, arriving from Johannesburg and London, will converge in Toulouse.