South African Rugby
Springboks sweat on duo's fitness
ESPN Staff
October 29, 2012
South Africa's Ricky Januarie congratulates Francois Louw on a try, South Africa v France, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa, June 12, 2010
Francois Louw will hope to overcome a neck injury to feature for South Africa in the November internationals © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Francois Louw | Adriaan Strauss
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Springbok duo Francois Louw and Adriaan Strauss will have a better idea how much they will be able to contribute to South Africa's northern hemisphere tour when they undergo tests on injuries this week.

Louw came off towards the end of Bath's win over Exeter Chiefs with a neck injury having scored their third try. Strauss meanwhile was unable to start the Cheetahs' Currie Cup match against Eastern Kings on Friday after aggravating an old knee injury. South Africa already have concerns over the fitness of captain Jean de Villiers ahead of Tests against Ireland, England and Scotland in November.

"Francois has got a bad bang on his head and it looks like he's compacted the vertebrae on his neck so he's in a lot of pain at the moment," Bath's director of rugby, Gary Gold told The Telegraph. "We will have a look at him on Monday. He's available to us for next week's game and then we will lose him for the tests the Springboks are going to play."

If Strauss is passed fit he is in line to face his cousin Richardt Strauss who was added to Ireland's autumn international squad and could make his debut against the Springboks. He is confident his withdrawal was only precautionary.

"It's an old injury that is giving me trouble, but we will have a look on Monday," Strauss told supersport.com.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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