Louw heads long list of hobbling Springboks

Flank Francois Louw is in danger of missing the Springboks' end-of-year tour to Ireland, Britain and Italy after undergoing neck surgery yesterday.

Louw left the field with a bulged disc during South Africa's 14-10 defeat by the All Blacks in Wellington 10 days ago and, after further assessment, surgery was recommended.

"Flo (Louw) took a knock to his head against the All Blacks and it's pushed a disc out in his neck that was putting some pressure on a nerve," Bok doctor Craig Roberts said.

"With modern surgery techniques we are hoping to have Flo back and playing again in seven to eight weeks.

"There is a possibility he will be available for our November tour, but we'll take it week by week and monitor his recovery."

Roberts also revealed that flank Willem Alberts, who has missed the Rugby Championships, also had surgery for a pinched nerve.

"He had surgery and I met up with him in Durban last week . He is on track to make the end-of-year tour," Roberts said

"Ruan Pienaar has a medial collateral sprain and that's going to rule him out for six weeks. But at this stage it looks as if he will be ready for the November tour."

Rookies wing Seabelo Senatla, loose forward Nizaam Carr and prop Lizo Gqoboka were called up to the squad as non-playing members yesterday after catching the eye in the Currie Cup.

Senatla has been out for three weeks with an ankle injury.

"He won't be doing any on-field training with us this week," Roberts said.