Gio Aplon won the last of his Test caps against Namibia at last year's Rugby World Cup © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Players/Officials: Gio Aplon | Dean Greyling

Tournaments/Tours: England tour

Teams: South Africa

Gio Aplon and Dean Greyling have been called up to the South Africa squad due to injury concerns around Zane Kirchner and Coenie Oosthuizen.

Kirchner injured his knee late in the first half of the Springboks' 22-17 victory over England in their first Test clash in Durban on Saturday. Following a scan to on his knee this morning it has been decided that he would not be considered for Saturday's second Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and will be re-examined next week.

Oosthuizen is experiencing experienced some stiffness to his shoulder/neck area and will be sent for a scan in the next 24 hours after which a final decision on his fitness will be made.

Aplon played the last of his 16 Tests as a replacement against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup last year. Both of Greyling's two Test caps came on the away leg of last year's Tri-Nations campaign.

"We are not going to risk any player that is struggling with injuries and it was decided to call in replacements for both Zane and Coenie," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer. "Both Dean and Gio were on our official list of standby players and we're fortunate that both of them have played Test rugby for South Africa before.

"They have also been in good form in Super Rugby and were two of the unlucky players that did not make the initial 32-man squad. They also attended our Planning Camps and should be up to speed with how we want to play. I'm looking forward to welcoming them to the squad."

Oosthuizen was one of four players to make their Test bows against England in Durban, with fellow debutant Marcell Coetzee one of those to grab his opportunity with both hands and deliver a stand-out performance. "Jeez, it was a big step up," he reflected following the game. "There is so much more speed and physicality, but I was just so excited to get out there and use those butterflies inside as energy. I am just glad to have even made a little difference.

"If I looked calm, I can assure you it was more like a duck in the pond. I can't even remember the game, but at least now the shock is over. Then again, maybe the nerves will come right back come Thursday…"