Cape Town - Springbok flank Francois Louw has suffered a neck injury during Bath's Aviva Premiership victory over Exeter on Saturday. His fitness will be assessed by Bath’s medical team this week.

According to The Telegraph website, Louw is due to link up with the Springbok squad after next Sunday’s Premiership match at London Welsh to prepare for the Tests against Ireland, Scotland and England.

“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,” said Bath’s director of rugby, Gary Gold.

“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.”

Springbok squad:

Backs:
Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (captain), Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Raymond Rhule, Morné Steyn, Jaco Taute, Jano Vermaak

Forwards:
Willem Alberts, Arno Botha, Schalk Brits, Pat Cilliers, Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Juandré Kruger, CJ van der Linde, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Gurthro Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen