Nathan Hines, who began the Lions tour as a strong candidate to partner Paul O'Connell in the second row during the three-match series against South Africa, has been ruled out of Saturday's vital second test in Pretoria.

A judicial hearing in Cape Town today suspended the Scotland lock for a week which, barring a successful appeal, leaves him available for only the third and final international in Johannesburg on July 4.

It is the only disciplinary blemish on the Lions record for the whole tour and comes after Hines, 32, was cited following the rainswept 13-13 draw with the Emerging Springboks at Newlands last night.

He was accused of a dangerous tackle on Wilhelm Steenkamp, his opposite number, and the guilty verdict will come as a blow to a player who was so enthusiastic about becoming a Lion that he missed the triumphant march of Perpignan, his club, to the Top 14 title in France to ensure his availability for all the pre-tour preparations.

After the Lions lost the first test to the Springboks in Durban last Saturday, there was a view that they should "muscle up" for a game they have to win to stay alive in the series and that Hines could be the answer in that respect.

He had already faced down South Africa's challenge when Scotland played against them at Murrayfield last autumn and his absence through injury during the opening rounds of this year's RBS Six Nations Championship was a significant factor in Scotland's poor showing. He was one of several players who went into last night's match hoping to impress the coaching staff enough to earn a test place.

"The best thing for us would have been to play as a team, with aggression, and win," he said after the last kick of the match deprived the Lions of a win in every game outside the internationals. "All I wanted out of the tour was the chance to play in the tests and I have had that chance. Even if I don't play on Saturday or the next Saturday, I can say I've done my best and I think I'm better for the experience."