Wallabies back Pat McCabe is set to retire from the game following another neck fracture.
The 26-year-old fractured his neck for the third time in the Wallabies' 51-20 loss to the All Blacks last Saturday. While McCabe has not yet officially retired, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham told ABC radio that the player had 'made the decision he's not going to play again'.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Force centre Kyle Godwin has been included in a 30-man Wallabies squad ahead of the match against the Springboks in Perth.
Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau also re-joins the group, although he will not be considered for selection next Saturday as he continues to rehabilitate an injured knee.
The Wallabies will also be without hooker Nathan Charles, who suffered a pectoral tear against the All Blacks.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie congratulated Godwin on his inclusion.
'Kyle is someone who has been on the national radar for some time, but unfortunately hasn’t had much of an opportunity to join the Wallabies environment due to injury,' he said. 'He now gets his chance to join the squad, and we’ll look forward to learning more about him.'
Wallabies squad:
Backs: Israel Folau, Peter Betham, Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Kyle Godwin, Christian Leali'ifano, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Nic White, Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess.
Forwards: Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper (capt), Matt Hodgson, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Sam Carter, Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, Ben Alexander, James Slipper, Pek Cowan, James Hanson, Saia Fainga'a, Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
