Centre Jean de Villiers will miss South Africa's warm-up games with Connacht and Scotland after injurying a rib in the Springboks' 105-13 victory over Namibia.

The 26-year-old Western Province midfielder (pictured) suffered a rib cartilage injury in the 15-try rout and has been ordered to stay at home until the Boks depart for the World Cup in France on September 3.

De Villiers, who missed the 2003 World Cup through injury, is expected to recover in time for the Springboks' crucial pool clash with England in Paris on September 14.

He also has a chance of making their World Cup opener with Samoa five days earlier.

"It could have been much worse," De Villiers said. "Many things went through my mind. I had been in such a situation before.

"Taking the law of averages into account one would not have thought that I'd find myself in that situation again.

"At this stage we are looking at four weeks. I broke a rib last year but this injury feels a lot better.

"I am already more active. The goal is to be fit for the match against England. I am optimistic that I'll be ready in time."

Waylon Murray, who is not in the Springboks World Cup squad, will travel to Ireland and Scotland as cover for de Villiers.

South Africa coach Jake White will also be taking Jacques Cronje on the two-game trip even through the loose forward is also not included in his World Cup plans.

Cronje will provide cover for Bob Skinstad and Danie Rossouw, who have rib and hamstring injuries respectively.

South Africa captain John Smit will travel with the squad but is not expected to play either game in order to rest his problem hamstring.

The Springboks fly to Ireland on Friday for their game with Connacht on August 21, and will leave the next day for Scotland, who they meet at Murrayfield on August 25.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport