Rugby Championship
Schalk Burger called up by Springboks
ESPN Staff
September 17, 2014
Francois Louw is out for eight weeks © Getty Images
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Japan-based flanker Schalk Burger has been called up as replacement for the injured Francois Louw in the South Africa squad for the final two Rugby Championship Tests.

Louw, who misses the remaining games because of a pinched nerve in his neck, will be sidelined for approximately eight weeks and is a doubt for the Springboks' November series. He picked up the injury in their 14-10 loss to New Zealand on Saturday and South Africa will call up a replacement in the next couple of days.

Boks coach Heyneke Meyer said: "This is another set-back as we prepare to host Australia and New Zealand in two very important matches as Francois has been superb for us in the last couple of seasons."

And the Boks will also be without Ruan Pienaar for the rest of the Championship. He was forced off injured on Saturday and is out for between four to six weeks with damage to his MCL.

South Africa are already dealing with a lengthy injury list with Frans Malherbe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Flip van der Merwe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Willem Alberts, Arno Botha, Pierre Spies, Fourie du Preez and Jaque Fourie all sidelined.

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