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Springbok pair back in training with Montpellier

Montpellier - South Africa duo Ruan Pienaar and Johan Goosen have returned to training with French Top14 outfit Montpellier after six weeks out, the club announced on Monday.

Pienaar, a 2007 Rugby World Cup winner, has not played since February as he returned home following the death of his sister in a traffic accident.

Goosen has 13 Test caps to his name and has been recovering from a foot problem he suffered a month and a half ago.

The 88-time Springbok Pienaar rested for the whole period in South Africa and head coach Vern Cotter said the scrumhalf was unlikely to feature against Agen on Saturday.

"Because he hasn't done anything physical, his first aim will be to get back on form in the space of three weeks, then if the team needs him he'll bring all his experience with him," Cotter said.

Goosen - who had retired from the sport in 2016 before joining the Top 14 runners up last summer - is also a doubt for this weekend's game.

France back-rower Fulgence Ouedraogo will miss the fixture due to a calf issue.

However, Francois Steyn is set to feature after sitting out the victory over Pau last Saturday with a thigh issue.

Montpellier, who have South Africa internationals in brothers Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis in their squad, sit in a surprising ninth place in the table six points away from Bordeaux-Begles in the last end-of-season playoff spot.

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