South Africa flanker Francois Louw backs Duane Vermeulen to bounce back from surgery

South Africa flanker Francois Louw has backed team-mate Duane Vermeulen to come back stronger after his Rugby World Cup participation was thrown into doubt by a neck injury.

Vermeulen will go under the knife on Wednesday and will need at least eight weeks of rehabilitation, meaning he will not be available for any of the Springboks’ five matches before kicking off their World Cup campaign.        

Louw knows how Vermeulen feels having bounced back from similar surgery to help Bath to the final of the Premiership in England in May where they fell short against Saracens.

"I had a bit of a scare last year towards the end of the Rugby Championship when I had surgery on my neck, and coming back from that, finishing the season up in Europe solidly with Bath and to be involved here now is fantastic," Louw said.

Louw is expected to regain his place in the Springbok side for the exhibition game against a World XV in Cape Town on Saturday, the first of five matches before the World Cup starts on Sept. 18.

The 30-year-old said the demands of the modern game put added strain on the bodies of players and injuries were harder to guard against.             

"It's very sad about what has happened to Duane, he is not the first player who has gone through something like that.

"The modern game really demands a lot of the body and there seems to be quite a few neck injuries now.

"Unfortunately, surgery is required but I am sure that he will bounce back stronger. It is bad timing obviously. I know he is absolutely distraught not to be here and involved in this important year. He is in our thoughts."

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With Stade Francais-bound Willem Alberts also sidelined with an ankle injury, it means South Africa start the season without two of their regular back-row three but Louw has backed the depth built up in the squad over the last few seasons.

"Whatever combination you go with on the day, it's important to understand each player, to be able to perform to the best of your ability but also to help that guy with his role," Louw said.

Fly-half Pat Lambie was taken to hospital during Tuesday's training session with a deep cut above his eye. His availability for Saturday will be assessed on Wednesday.