South Africa will lose the services of their key defender Siyanda Xulu during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho, Central Africa Republic and Ethiopia because of injury.

The 21-year-old defender sustained the injury while playing for his Russian club Rostov FC on Thursday.

South Africa coach Gordon Igesund revealed that he would not replace the injured defender, saying he has sufficient cover.

"It is unfortunate but this is part of the game, we just have to soldier on," Igesund was quoted as saying on Supersport on Friday.

"I selected a big group in anticipation of such things so we will not be replacing Xulu for I believe we can do well with the numbers we have left," he added.

"Like I said before, I believe the guys that are here will do a magnificent job for the country. "

South Africa will face Central Africa Republic on 8 June before taking on Lesotho and Ethiopia respectively.

They are second in Group A of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers with five points, two behind leaders Ethiopia.

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