Injured Alberts out of Bok line-up

Loose forward Willem Alberts has been withdrawn from the Bok line-up for their opening RWC game against Japan.

Brighton - Loose forward Willem Alberts has been withdrawn from South Africa's line-up for their opening Rugby World Cup game against Japan on Saturday after injuring his calf.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will start in the No. 7 jersey with his place on the bench going to Eben Etzebeth, a statement from the South Africa team said.

“Willem felt some discomfort during the captain's run and we took him out of the session as a precautionary measure,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts of Friday's final training session before the Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium.

“We reassessed him again this morning and decided it would be better to withdraw him from the team,” he said on Saturday.

Reuters