Kirsten gets a Bok call-up

The uncapped Frik Kirsten will join the Springboks in Paris, after he was called up as injury replacement for Frans Malherbe.

Malherbe limped of after just half-an-hour in South Africa's 28-0 victory over Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday.

The national selectors named the 25-year-old Kirsten as the experienced Jannie du Plessis and Pat Cilliers remained unavailable due to injuries.

Kirsten will join the Springboks in Paris as soon as possible.

Malherbe, who started in both Test victories on the year-end tour against Wales and Scotland, suffered a rib cartilage injury.

"We've been watching Frik quite closely over the last few seasons and he's really done very well," Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said of Kirsten.

"He's played for the SA Under-20 team, took part in one of our training camps last year and was the next player on our standby list.

"I feel sorry for Frans, as he's performed strongly in his two first Tests.

"He certainly has a great future ahead of him and it was good to see him take the step up to Test match rugby."