Concerns over Louw and Pienaar

 

A bruising encounter saw plenty of casualties on both sides with All Black centre Ma'a Nonu looking as if he has fractured his forearm.

 

For the Springboks there are concerns over flank Francois Louw and scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar.

 

Pienaar suffered a huge knock to the knee when team mate Duane Vermeulen's boot swung around with some pace onto the scrumhalf's right knee. 

 

Pienaar’s participation in the rest of the competition looks to be cut short, with the injury to his medial knee ligaments late in the first half. 

 

Louw irritated a nerve down his arm. He will have scans and consult a specialist in Cape Town on Tuesday before a call on his continued participation in the Lager Rugby Championship is made.

 

There was also a concern for fullback Willie le Roux who hobbled off the field clutching his hamstring and was later seen with ice strapped to his leg on the bench.

 

The concern over Pienaar and Louw could open up spots for young Cobus Reinach and Warren Whiteley respectively when the Springboks take on Australia in Cape Town on September 27.

 

Reinach is the only other recognised scrumhalf in the squad and the Sharks man is yet to be tested at the highest level.

 

Whiteley on the other hand has racked up two Test caps off the bench but could find himself in the starting line-up as Meyer looks to balance out his loose trio.