Bakkies Botha, the South Africa lock, has lost his appeal against a two-week ban. The Bulls forward was cited for a dangerous charge on Adam Jones, the Lions prop, during the second Test in Pretoria last Saturday.

Jones, the Wales tight-head, has been flown home after he dislocated a shoulder in the incident that forced him to leave the field five minutes into the second half.

Botha’s appeal was heard via a conference call this morning, and the decision to uphold his suspension means that he will miss the final Test at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Johann Muller, the Sharks second row, who captained his side in their 39-3 defeat against the Lions in a provincial game last month, is set to replace Botha as Peter de Villiers, the South Africa coach, makes ten changes to his side to face the Lions.

With the Springboks having already taken an unassailable 2-0 series lead, he has opted to give the rest of his squad a game leaving John Smit, Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Tendai Mtawarira and Juan Smith as the only survivors in the starting XV.

Zane Kirchner, the Bulls full back, will make his debut in the No 15 jersey, while Odwa Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Jongi Nokwe and Morne Steyn all come in to a backline that includes just one player - scrum half Du Preez - that started in the previous Test that was won 28-25 by the world champions.

There are four new faces amongst the forwards where Chiliboy Ralepelle, Johann Muller, Heinrich Brussow and Ryan Kankowski all come in.

Bismarck du Plessis, Pierre Spies, Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn all drop down to being amongst the substitutes, which also includes Gurthro Steenkamp, Steven Sykes and Deon Carstens.

Schalk Burger is not available after being cited and banned for eight weeks after being found guilty of making contact with the eye area of Luke Ftzgerald, the Lions wing, in the second Test.