South African officials said the 2007 world player of the year had sustained a grade-one tear to his hamstring which will sideline him for at least 10 days, meaning he will miss Saturday's ABSA Stadium match and the game seven days later in Johannesburg.

Speedster Habana limped off during the second half of last Saturday's 19-0 loss to New Zealand at Newlands and Free State Cheetahs winger Jongi Nokwe has returned to the squad as his replacement.

The loss is a major setback for the Boks, who have already lost skipper John Smit and towering lock Bakkies Botha for the remainder of the series.

Forward Danie Rossouw was also not considered because of a back injury. Coach Peter de Villiers resisted calls for mass changes to his forward pack, but signalled his side would look to play an attacking game by picking exciting fullback Conrad Jantjes ahead of veteran Percy Montgomery.

''The Aussies don't have great tactical kickers and we have to speed things up. That's why we've gone with Jantjes,'' he said. AAP