Boks sweat on forward duo

Springbok forwards Francois Louw and Adriaan Strauss will both undergo fitness tests on Monday before being cleared to join Heyneke Meyer's squad.

Hooker and vice-captain Strauss was unable to play in the Cheetahs' promotion/relegation match against the EP Kings on Friday due to a recurring knee injury, whilst Louw suffered a neck injury in Bath's victory over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

Strauss will go for a scan on the troublesome knee and Louw's neck will be assessed by Bath's medical staff, which signals an anxious wait for Bok coach Heyneke Meyer who has already seen his squad hit hard by injury.

Bath coach Gary Gold told the Telegraph that Louw sustained the injury shortly after scoring for Bath on Saturday, but expressed hope that he will be available to play for the Premiership team this weekend.

If fit Louw will play against London Welsh on Saturday before joining up with the Bok squad on Sunday.

"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. I think it's going to be a lot sorer in the morning so we will have to evaluate how he gets on.

"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," said Gold.

The loss of Louw would be a tough blow for the Boks, as there is a serious lack of fit and experienced openside flanks on offer in South Africa at the moment.

If Strauss is not fit to join the team on Wednesday, then Meyer may have to call up Craig Burden to join Chiliboy Ralapelle and Schalk Brits as the hookers in the squad.

Losing either player will be a serious test for Meyer as they both provide vital leadership and will be key to his intentions of keeping continuity on the year-end tour.