Scott Higginbotham has handed Australia a fitness scare ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa.
The Queensland Reds backrow powerhouse was named on the bench for the Test match at Loftus Versfeld.
But he injured his back when Nathan Sharpe fell on him in a training session and the Wallabies are now sweating on his fitness.
The Wallabies, who sit second in the table, are willing to wait until the last minute before making a decision but it has been reported that Higginbotham is unlikely to recover.
If he is not passed fir to play the Wallabies will switch to a 4-3 split between forwards and backs on their bench with fly-half-cum-centre Mike Harris slotting in.
It is just the latest injury blow to hit the 19-cap flanker in Pretoria. Two years ago he pulled out of his Test debut due to back spasms.
But he has become a major feature in the Wallabies set-up and is likely to face the Lions during next year’s tour.
