Flyhalf James Hook and prop forward Euan Murray have been ruled out of Saturday's first Test against South Africa after picking up injuries in the British and Irish Lions' victory over the Southern Kings.

With head coach Ian McGeechan due to name his starting line-up on Thursday, assistant Rob Howley said on Wednesday that Hook injured his neck and head after a high tackle in the bruising game at Port Elizabeth, which the Lions won 20-8 to make it six wins out of six.

Although the Welsh star has kicked well on the tour, he was only likely to be third-choice flyhalf behind Stephen Jones and Ronan O'Gara.

Murray went off with a sprained ankle in Tuesday's game and the Scot had no chance of playing at Kings Park, where the tourists beat the Sharks 39-3 on June 10.

"Neither player will be available for selection for the first Test," Howley said. "It is an ongoing assessment with both players."

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