Ralepelle is the latest addition to a list of injured Springboks, among them Pierre Spies, who pulled out because of an injured ring finger.

The side plays its opening Test of the Rugby Championship on Saturday at Newlands, against Argentina.

Ralepelle, who has played in 21 Tests for the Springboks, injured his knee during a training drill on Tuesday afternoon.

“We assessed him again this morning and he will not be available at least for the first two Tests in The Castle Rugby Championship,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts.

Stormers’ hooker Tiaan Liebenberg has replaced Ralepelle in the squad and trained with the team on Wednesday morning in Cape Town.

Liebenberg, who toured with the Springboks at the end of 2007 and played against the Barbarians, had been on the official stand-by list.