Another Springboks blow as Strauss banned

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer suffered another setback Tuesday with a ban ruling hooker Adriaan Strauss out of three June internationals. Central Cheetahs skipper Strauss was barred for three weeks after a dangerous tackle on Western Stormers' wing Kobus van Wyk in a Super 15 game last weekend. A knee injury has ruled Springboks centre and captain Jean de Villiers out of an exhibition game against a World XV, two Tests against Wales and one against Scotland. Strauss, who shared the hooking duties with Coastal Sharks' Bismarck du Plessis last season, will be available for the Scotland Test. He had been considered a potential stand-in skipper for De Villiers, with Du Plessis, veteran lock Victor Matfield and flank Francois Louw other contenders. The public have a slight preference for Du Plessis to lead the green and gold, giving him 38 percent in a media-run poll compared to 34 percent for Matfield. Northern Bulls' hooker Callie Visagie was added to the 36-man squad at a training camp in Indian Ocean city Durban. However, Schalk Brits from English Premiership outfit Saracens is considered a likelier back-up for Du Plessis when the squad for the June matches is named Saturday. South Africa play a World XV on June 7 in Cape Town, Wales on June 14 in Durban and on June 21 in Nelspruit, and Scotland on  June 28 in Port Elizabeth.