Veteran lock and Sharks captain Johann Muller was on Monday recalled to the Springbok squad, ahead of South Africa's third and final Test against the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Muller, who has already captained the Boks, has answered the national team's SOS - with the squad's second row resources severely depleted through injury and suspension.

The Sharks lock will replace lanky Western Province second row forward Andries Bekker, who tore cartilage in his knee during last Saturday's series-clinching 28-25 second Test win over the British and Irish Lions at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The Bok medical team revealed on Monday that Bekker saw orthopaedic specialist Mark Ferguson and will have a scope performed on his knee later on Monday.

Muller, who last played for the Boks in their victorious World Cup campaign in France in 2007, was part of the South African training Squad that faced a Namibian invitation XV in Windhoek last month - ahead of the Lions series.

Bekker's absence coincides with Bakkies Botha (suspended) and Danie Rossouw (concussion) also doubtful starters for South Africa's third and final Test against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

There is some positive news on the other players who picked up injuries during the Boks' impressive come-from-behind win at Loftus.

Team doctor Craig Roberts confirmed that centre Jean de Villiers and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez saw shoulder specialist Thys de Beer in Pretoria on Monday and had been cleared for selection ahead of Saturday's final showdown.

Rossouw is being "closely monitored" and will follow the standard concussion protocol, including neuropsychological assessment, before returning to play.

He has not been ruled out, but Muller's arrival suggest that he is unlikely to play.

The Bok management has also still not decided if they are going to appeal Botha's two-week suspension for an incident which many observers felt was a legal rugby playing action - in clearing out a ruck, with Lions prop Adam Jones injuring his shoulder when knocked back.

365

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