Heinrich Brussow has been called into the Springbok squad. Stormers flanker Schalk Burger, who has 46 test caps, is struggling to be fit for Saturday's first test due to an injured calf.

Brussow has already faced the Lions in their third tour match against the Free State Cheetahs. The openside flanker had a superlative game, despite his sides loss and seemed to being taking the fight to the tourists almost single-handedly at times. Brussow's absence from the original Springbok test squad caused consternation in some quarters of the South African rugby community and along with Zane Kirchner he was considered to be particularly unlucky.

Burger will face a fitness test to see if he is ready to play against the Lions in the first test, but even if he does not play, it does not mean a definite start for Brussow, the team could turn to current squad member Danie Rossouw instead.

Speaking to the media regarding the call up, Springbok head coach Peter De Villiers said, "We brought in Heinrich Brussow in case Schalk won't make it but it is only precautionary. Schalk is one of the players that play a major role in my plans and I build almost 60% of whatever we do in the forwards around him so it will be a big blow for us if he doesn't make it. But I am positive that he will make it."

Asked about the pros and cons of the Brussow/Rossouw call, de Villiers said, "Rossouw is an honest, hard-working rugby player so it will be tough to make that decision."

Either way, the loss of Schalk Burger would be a major setback for the Springboks and after the departure of Lion Stephen Ferris, the absence of such a prominent Bok forward would give an interesting dynamic to the back-row battle.