Veteran hooker Bismarck du Plessis and fullback François Steyn of Montpellier in the French Top 14 will not be considered for the first Test between the Springboks and England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed on Monday evening that the two players‚ who played and lost 29-13 in the Top 14 to Castres on Saturday‚ would not arrive in the country in time to be considered for the crunch series opener.

“I have said it in the past that no one is guaranteed a place in the team‚" Erasmus said on Monday evening.

"We followed and monitored them at the weekend and we are not sure about their fitness and conditioning.