His former club, the Blue Bulls, have said they will evaluate the injury before deciding whether to re-sign the player.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Injury forces Cronje out of Quins

Botha wants to join Toulon from his current Super 14 side the Blue Bulls and has already signed a contract with the French second division club.

BBC: Strike threat to Springbok tour

But those thought to be under consideration are Chester Williams, a 1995 World Cup winner, Springbok backs coach Allister Coetzee and Pieter de Villiers, the national Under-21 and Emerging Springboks coach, and Blue Bulls boss Heyneke Meyer.

BBC: White confirms South Africa exit

Saracens are co-owned by a South African consortium with links to provincial sides the Blue Bulls and the Stormers, and there are fears the Guinness Premiership side will become little more than a South African feeder club.

BBC: Saracens 'will honour contracts'

The bulls will certainly argue that this good day, which seemed to appear out of the blue, is a very good thing and definitely bodes well for the future.

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