South Africa have ruled injured fullback Frans Steyn out of the Tri-Nations rugby clash with New Zealand on August 21, a team spokesman said Thursday.

Paris-based Steyn was among 29 Springboks called up to prepare for the All Blacks Test at Soccer City and matches against Australia in Pretoria and Bloemfontein the following weekends.

But the former Coastal Shark injured a thigh muscle playing for Racing Metro in a pre-season club friendly last Friday and has been told not to train until the middle of next week.

South African officials are hoping Steyn will be released for the games against the Wallabies as the defending champions try to recover from three consecutive heavy away losses in the southern hemisphere championship.

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