Springbok Dirt Tracker captain Chiliboy Ralepelle is once again facing a lay-off as a result of an injury he sustained while leading his country.

Ralepelle and prop Gurthro Steenkamp will both return to South Africa, after being injured during the Springboks' opening tour match against Leicester at Welford Road on Friday - a disappointing 17-22 defeat.

Ralepelle has an injured foot and has to see a specialist.

Steenkamp injured his knee.

Tighthead Jannie du Plessis is also doubtful starter for the first Test of the Boks' five-match tour, against France in Toulouse next Friday (November 13), after he injured his hand against the Tigers.

Free State Cheetahs front row forwards Wian du Preez (prop) and Adriaan Strauss (hooker) have been called as replacements and are set to join the squad in France next week.

It is the second time that Ralepelle was injured while captaining the Boks.

In 2006, also in Leicester, he suffered a knee injury while he made his captaincy debut against World XV. He spent almost 18 months on the sidelines with a succession of injuries after that - making two brief appearances for the Bulls - breaking down each time.

Ralepelle entered the tour with an injury shadow hanging over him, after the hooker suffered fracture in his foot playing for the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs in September.

He missed the Currie Cup Final on October 31 and it appears he may well have aggravated the same injury again.