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Late change: 'The Beast' ruled out of Ireland v South Africa

The loose-head prop had been admitted to hospital as a precaution after he suffered mild heart palpitations this morning.

SPRINGBOK LOOSEHEAD PROP Tendai Mtawarira has been ruled out of this afternoon’s opening Guinness Series test at the Aviva Stadium.

CJ van der Linde has been promoted into the starting line-up in the absence of the man popularly known as “Beast” with Leinster prop Heinke van der Merwe drafted into the squad on the bench.

A statement on the South African rugby union’s website, said: “The decision to withdraw Mtawarira is a precautionary measure after he had a recurrence of mild heart palpitations.”

With the union adding that the Natal Shark has now been released from hospital after being admitted as a precaution.

The Springbok line-up now looks like this:

South Africa XV: Zane Kirchner, JP Pietersen, Jaco Taute, Jean de Villiers (c), Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Ruan Pienaar, Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Juandré Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde.

Replacements: Schalk Brits, Heinke van der Merwe, Pat Cilliers, Flip van der Merwe, Marcell Coetzee, Morné Steyn, Juan de Jongh, Lwazi Mvovo.

Open Thread: How will Ireland fare against South Africa?

They’re big, strong and they want to run over you – captain Heaslip on the Springbok science

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