Springboks hooker Marx out of RWC with knee injury

South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx will miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup because of a knee injury suffered in training.

The 29-year-old, who has won 64 caps and is widely considered to be among the best players in the world in his position, was injured "in contact".

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber says they are extremely disappointed for Marx, it's tragic that his campaign has ended this way.

Defending champions South Africa face Romania at 1am Monday in Bordeaux.

The Springboks, who beat Scotland 18-3 in their opening group game, now have only one specialist hooker - Bongi Mbonambi - in their squad.

The versatile Deon Fourie, who also plays in the back row, will be the replacement hooker on the bench against Romania, while fellow back rower Marco van Staden has also been training in the position.

Nienaber says they will assess their needs for the rest of the tournament and confirm who they are calling up as an additional player later this week.

South Africa also play Ireland, the world's top-ranked side, and Tonga in Pool B.

Source: BBC