Springboks sweat on fitness of key stars

South Africa rugby officials will take a decision on the fitness of key stars Akona Ndungane and Jean de Villiers at the end of the week as the start of the World Cup moves ever closer.

Wing Ndungane returned home early from the warm-up tour of Ireland and Scotland with severe bruising to his ribs suffered in the match against Galway.

He underwent scans in Cape Town late last week and a decision was to be made on Monday, but the medical team have now decided he needs more time.

Centre De Villiers, meanwhile, has been out for two weeks with bruised ribs.

The Springboks leave for France on September 3 and the duo’s fitness will be assessed just two days before their departure.