Injuries to star scrumhalf Fourie Du Preez and winger JP Pietersen put them in doubt for South Africa's team to meet England in the first rugby Test this weekend.
Du Preez, who has been carrying a shoulder injury for almost four weeks, aggravated it during the Super 14 final on Saturday, and Pietersen hurt his hand in the same match.
Both players didn't train with the squad in bitter cold on Monday.
PHOTO: AP
Coach Jake White was already without flyhalf Andre Pretorius (strained buttock) and center Jaque Fourie (groin), probably also for the second Test against England next week in Pretoria.
Pretorius' injury allowed for a recall for flyhalf Derick Hougaard, who hit the match-winning conversion in the Bulls' Super 14 final victory against the Sharks at Durban.
Hougaard, who was a surprise omission from White's original 46-man squad, was added to a trimmed squad of 38.
Hougaard last played for the Springboks at the 2003 World Cup in Australia.
Controversial Stormers flanker Luke Watson made the cut after a weekend meeting between the national selectors and South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins.
Watson was added to the first squad by Hoskins, who overruled the bitterly disappointed selectors, including White.
White said on Monday that the issues surrounding Watson wouldn't affect the team's buildup to Saturday's test in Bloemfontein.
"It's not a question as to how Luke Watson fits in, it's more important that we're coming out of a positive Super 14 and all that energy is focused there now," White said.
White said he'd name his match 22 today.
Among those cut from the initial squad were Breyton Paulse, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bevan Fortuin, Jaco Pretorius, Kabamba Floors, Gerrie Britz and Eddie Andrews.
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