South Africa centre Jean De Villiers is out of the World Cup after tearing his left biceps during the side's 59-7 defeat of Samoa.

De Villiers was substituted early in the second half and taken to hospital for X-rays which showed he would have to return to South Africa to undergo surgery.

Wayne Julies has been called up as a replacement.

De Villiers, who has struggled with injury throughout his career, is a key member of coach Jake White's team.

His latest setback is a huge blow for South Africa, who face defending champions England in their next Pool A game in Paris.

The 26-year-old centre was ruled out of the 2003 World Cup through injury and had been out of action for a month after sustaining a rib injury in a warm-up match against Namibia.

De Villiers is the second leading player to be ruled out of the Springboks's 30-man World Cup squad. Number eight Pierre Spies was withdrawn in June because of clots on his lungs.

Reuters