Springbok axe for Willie le Roux?

Cape Town - Are Willie le Roux’s days as Springbok fullback numbered?

They are if a local newspaper is to be believed.

Rapport on Sunday suggested that Le Roux could be omitted from Allister Coetzee’s squad for the Rugby Championship.

According to the Afrikaans weekly, Le Roux will soon head off to Japan to join the Canon-­Eagles.

Le Roux’s form has taken a significant dip in 2016 - at the Sharks as well as the Boks.

Meanwhile, other surprises in the squad could be the Lions duo of Jaco van der Walt and Dylan Smith.

Van der Walt is flyhalf back-up for Elton Jantjies, while Smith has impressed as a loosehead prop.

Coetzee will name his 31-man Springbok squad on Saturday, following the Super Rugby final between the Hurricanes and Lions in Wellington.

The Springboks' opening Rugby Championship match will take place on Saturday, August 20 against Argentina in Nelspruit.