JP recalled to the Boks

Experienced Test back Jon-Paul Pietersen has been called up to the Springbok squad for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

Pietersen, effectively known as JP, in place of the injured Ruan Pienaar.

Pienaar injured his medial cruciate knee ligaments in South Africa's Rugby Championship Test loss (10-14) to New Zealand in Wellington at the weekend.

Pienaar has been ruled out for the remainder of the competition.

Pietersen, a stalwart of the Springboks in the last eight seasons, will join the squad when they get together in Cape Town next Sunday.

He was not available earlier in the competition due to his commitments in Japan.

"JP has always been part of our plans and did very well in June playing at outside centre," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

"We've got two scrumhalves in the squad "- in Francois Hougaard and Cobus Reinach - and decided it would be better to bring in an outside back such as JP, who covers wing and outside centre."

Pienaar will go for scans on Monday after which the exact extent the injury will be determined.