The Springboks have suffered an untimely injury setback ahead of their opening Test of the season against England, with highly rated youngster Riley Norton ruled out for up to 10 weeks after sustaining a serious hamstring injury.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed that tactical profile—not talent—drove his decision to select rookie Riley Norton over powerhouse Northampton Saints lock JJ van der Mescht for the current squad, despite a bruising second-row injury crisis.