Springbok centre Damian de Allende will miss the final-round Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby between Munster and Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.
According to Irish publication The 42, De Allende will not be available for the encounter due to a chest injury.
MORE: Bad news for SA teams in URC top four race
Munster will also be without star wing Simon Zebo due to a rib injury, while flank and captain Peter O’Mahony remains a doubt after being replaced in the Champions Cup quarter-final due to a ‘stinger’ in his shoulder.
On the other hand, Munster have been boosted by the return to fitness of No 8 Gavin Coombes, who has been joined in training by South African loose forward Chris Cloete.
The URC match between Leinster and Munster will have big ramifications for the three South African teams in the top eight: the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks and Stormers.
If Leinster, who are rumoured to be considering fielding a second-string side, are able to beat Munster, that would potentially allow all three South African teams to finish inside the top four and secure a home quarter-final.
However, a Munster win would mean that, at most, only two of the South African teams could get a home playoff.
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