South Africa suffered a blow Friday on the eve of their Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks with scrum-half Ross Cronje pulling out because of illness.
He has been replaced by Francois Hougaard with Rudy Paige added to the bench, the team said in a statement on social media.
"Ross Cronje withdrawn from Springbok team vs All Blacks because of stomach bug, replaced by Francois Hougaard. Rudy Paige onto the bench," South African Rugby said.
Cronje, who made his debut against France in June, has played four Tests and was also a member of the Golden Lions side that made the Super Rugby final this year.
His replacement Hougaard, who now plays for the Worcester Warriors, is a 45-Test veteran.
South Africa takes on New Zealand in Albany on Saturday September 16, kicking off at 8pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten, Win and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
TEAM
IN: Rudy Paige, Uzair Cassiem
OUT: Jaco Kriel, Ross Cronje
South Africa to take on New Zealand
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Malcolm Marx
3. Ruan Dreyer
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Franco Mostert
6. Siya Kolisi
7. Jean-Luc du Preez
8. Uzair Cassiem
9. Francois Hougaard
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Courtnall Skosan
12. Jan Serfontein
13. Jesse Kriel
14. Raymond Rhule
15. Andries Coetzee
Reserves
16. Bongi Mbonambi
17. Steven Kitshoff
18. Trevor Nyakane
19. Lood de Jager
20. Pieter Steph Du Toit
21. Rudy Paige
22. Handre Pollard
23. Damian de Allende
