Another Bok hooker breaks down

The injury curse has struck another Springbok hooker, with Adriaan Strauss the latest South African No.2 to break down.

Team Doctor Craig Roberts, during his usual Monday injury update, said Strauss' knee is a major concern ahead of the crucial Rugby Championship encounter with Australia in Perth on Saturday.

"The only injury concern is Adriaan [Strauss], who's got a mild knee ligament sprain," Roberts said.

"We will assess him later in the week and will make a call on his availability depending on how he goes through training in the next couple of days, but apart from that I'm happy to report we have a fit squad and are ready to go."

Commenting on the injury situation amongst the country's top hookers – with Bismarck du Plessis and Chiliboy Ralepelle out for the season – Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer expressed his disappointment at another front row setback.

"We have a few hookers on standby [in Tiaan Liebenberg, who made his Test debut against the Pumas in Mendoza, and uncapped Craig Burden], but we have a very good medical team and I'm positive we'll get Adriaan through," Meyer said.

"We have travelled with three hookers, so should be fine for the first game."

Du Plessis, who injured knee ligaments in the opening minutes of the first Test against Argentina last month, will be sidelined for the rest of the year.

Ralepelle withdrew from the Springbok squad because of a knee injury sustained in a training ground mishap before Du Plessis' setback.

* Meanwhile Bath flank Francois Louw joined the team in Perth on Monday after a long flight from London via Dubai.

Louw is the final member of the squad to arrive in Perth, where the Springboks are preparing for the third Test in Rugby Championship.