The South African Football Association this afternoon confirmed that Kaizer Chiefs defender, Siboniso Gaxa, has been ruled out of Bafana Bafana’s upcoming fixtures and has been replaced by Siyanda Xulu.

It was reveled earlier today on the Soccer-Laduma web and mobi-site that Xulu would be part of Gordon Igesund’s travelling squad, following Gaxa’s injury, with SAFA now confirming the news.

Xulu has had an impressive first season at Russian club, FC Rostov, however missed out on the original squad due to the fact that he had only recently returned from injury. 

Now the 21-year-old, whose team currently find themselves in a relegation play-off, will fly straight to Cameroon after his game against SKA Energiya on Thursday.

A statement from SAFA explained, “Kaizer Chiefs defender, Siboniso Gaxa, has been ruled out of the Bafana Bafana squad to face Lesotho, Central African Republic (CAR) and Ethiopia in the upcoming international matches. 

“Gaxa is suffering from a hamstring injury which forced him to be taken off the field in the final of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday, 25 May 2013 where Chiefs defeated SuperSport United one nil.

“The right-back will be replaced by Russia-based Siyanda Xulu.

“Gaxa joins fellow defender, Tsepo Masilela, and midfielder, Kagisho Dikgacoi, on the sidelines.”

Gordon Igesund’s men assemble for camp on Wednesday night in Johannesburg before their upcoming matches in June.