Johannesburg: Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Jacques Kallis was withdrawn from the Champions League Twenty20 on Tuesday after advice from Cricket South Africa.

Kallis had a neck injury and would play no further part in the tournament, Bangalore said hours before its crucial game against Highveld Lions.

Bangalore needs to beat South Africa's Lions in its final Group B game at the Wanderers to avoid an early exit from the Champions League Twenty20, but will have to do so without one of its star performers.

"Kallis is carrying a neck injury that has affected his lower cervical and upper thoracic spine. As a result Cricket South Africa's medical team have advised him (to) rest to recover for the country's upcoming international commitments," Bangalore said.

The IPL team said a replacement would be announced soon, possibly England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Bangalore tried to include Pietersen before the tournament when he was dropped for England's limited-overs series against Pakistan, but ran out of time. Pietersen is due in South Africa early next month to play two domestic four-day games to prepare for the Ashes.

Kallis starred for Bangalore in its first game at the Champions League, taking 3-16 and scoring 43 not out to earn the man of the match award in a one-sided win over Guyana.

A back injury ruled him out of the second match, where Bangalore lost to South Australia, and he played a subdued role in the loss to Mumbai on Sunday.

Bangalore sits fourth in Group B, with just one win from three games.