Bismarck du Plessis and Frans Steyn have been ruled out of South Africa's Test series against England due to injury.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus revealed on Monday that the French-based duo would miss the Johannesburg opener, but 48 hours later the decision has been taken to release them from the squad altogether.
Du Plessis was set to start at hooker and Steyn at inside centre only for unspecified injuries sustained on Top 14 duty with Montpellier last weekend to curtail those plans.
"The players have undergone further investigations and specialist opinions and it was decided to withdraw them from the Springbok squad for the series against England," a SA Rugby statement read.