Kriel out of second Test
Kriel, who suffered concussion in the 37-14 win in the first Test against Les Bleus in Johannesburg at the weekend, will have a week of "full rest" and is unavailable for selection for second Test in Durban this coming Saturday.
The good news is that midfielder Lionel Mapoe has completed his final phase of rehabilitation from a hamstring strain, and returns to full fitness on Monday.
The most obvious decision for Bok coach Allister Coetzee would be for Mapoe to slot straight in at outside centre in place of the injured Kriel.
There is the option that veteran Frans Steyn could come in at inside centre – as he did when he came on for Kriel in the 57th minute at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend – and Jan Serfontein then move to outside centre.
However, Coetzee indicated that Steyn would continue in his role off the bench – where he covers both the midfield and flyhalf positions.
"Jan [Serfontein] was outstanding against France last Saturday," the Bok coach told a media briefing in Durban.
"The experience and work-rate he brought to the contest really helped us.
"We need a specialist in that No 13 channel. I'd rather bring someone like Lionel in than move Jan from No.12 to No.13, as that would mean two changes to the backline instead of one."
Meanwhile Francois Venter has been called up to the Springbok squad.
The SOS to Venter comes after an 'unfit' De Allende was sent home.
The Boks' team doctor, Konrad von Hagen, confirmed that De Allende has failed to recover from a quad contusion he sustained while playing for the Stormers in the last round of Super Rugby action and he has been send back to his franchise for further treatment.
Coetzee confirmed they will fall back on the centres in the South African 'A' team – also training in Durban ahead if their game against the French Barbarians on Friday.
Apart from Venter, veteran Juan de Jongh and Harold Vorster are the midfielders with the SA 'A' team.
