SPRINGBOK fetcher Heinrich Brussow will, barring injury, play in the Test against France on November 13 after all.

That is the result of the finger injury suffered by Pierre Spies on Monday, which ruled him out of the Springboks’ tour of Europe.

Jean Deysel, of the Sharks, has been called up to the squad and Brussow has been replaced by the big flank in the squad to play Leicester Tigers on Friday night at the opening of the Premiership champions’ new stand.

Brussow has been ordered to remain behind and train with the other 14 Boks who will only leave South Africa next Tuesday and will then fly directly to France for the Test.

From within the Springbok players’ camp this team is seen as the Test side.

The side playing Leicester left for London last night.

The Spies injury sees uncapped Dewald Potgieter move from No7 flank to No6 with Griquas’ surprise inclusion in the team, Davon Raubenheimer, moving from the bench to the starting line-up as the other flank.

Deysel, who joined the Springboks yesterday morning after being called up on Monday night, takes Raubenheimer’s place on the bench.

“Losing Pierre is a blow for us and a disappointment for him, but we are fortunate to have strong back-up of players in the squad who are familiar with how we want to play,” said Bok coach Peter de Villiers.

“I am also confident that the change will not disrupt our preparations for the important tour opener on Friday,” he said.

“I don’t mind moving to No6,” said Potgieter, impressive throughout the season and also as captain of the Emerging Boks when they fought back so magnificently to draw with the British and Irish Lions at Newlands.

“The decision to move me was probably made because I play to the ball a little more than Davon and because the coaching staff obviously expect it to be a tight match against the Leicester Tigers.”

Potgieter pointed out that this was his position for the Emerging Boks against the Lions and also in the Currie Cup when the Blue Bulls fetcher Deon Stegmann was injured.

He also filled in for Spies at No8 when the big man was injured in the Blue Bulls’ Currie Cup campaign.

Potgieter does not foresee the side struggling to gel. “We’ll have four days of training together – the same as we had for the Emerging Boks.

“We play a simple game plan which is easy to slot into. Also, most South African sides play very much to the same game plan, so I don’t foresee any problems in that respect.”

While admitting that it had been a long season, Potgieter said the Bulls’ success in the Super 14 and Currie Cup ensured a continuing enthusiasm. – Sapa