Wallabies halfback Luke Burgess has been ruled out of Australia's two Tri Nations rugby matches against the Springboks in South Africa due to a knee injury.
The young No.9 was also unlikely to play in Australia's final Tri Nations match against New Zealand in Brisbane next month, with coach Robbie Deans saying the halfback was likely to be sidelined for four to six weeks.
Veteran lock Nathan Sharpe is the other member of the 30-man squad to miss out on this month's South African campaign.
Deans said the greater versatility of players like Hugh McMeniman and Dean Mumm, both of whom can also play in the back row, squeezed Sharpe out of the squad.
He says Daniel Vickerman will replace Sharpe in the starting line up for the first of two tests against South Africa in Durban next week on Saturday.
Australia depart for South Africa tomorrow.
The Springboks play New Zealand in Cape Town this weeknd.
