Sale Sharks have confirmed the departure of Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe with immediate effect.
The Springboks completed their Castle Lager Rugby Championship training camp on a high note on Thursday.
South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus hopes that Sbu Nkosi can still work his way into the reckoning for Springbok selection after being released by the Bulls this week.
Rather than seeing it as a burden, Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi believes it is a privilege that fans expect big things from the Boks in every game they play.
After spending more than two weeks in a Pretoria hospital, former Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard's recovery is continuing and he is breathing on his own now.
South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus admits that Handre Pollard's knee injury is "a bit of a worry" as the World Cup approaches.