England-based Le Roux, Louw to miss Springbok Tests
South Africa full-back Willie le Roux and loose forward Francois Louw have returned to their English clubs and will not be available for the last two rounds of the Rugby Championship.
The Springboks, who have a slim chance of winning the four-nation southern hemisphere competition for the first time, host Australia on September 29 and New Zealand a week later.
Le Roux returns to Wasps after playing in the four previous Championship matches this season -- a win and loss against Argentina, a defeat by Australia and a shock win over New Zealand.
Louw, of Bath, a flanker who can also operate at number eight, started both Tests against Argentina and came off the bench in Brisbane and Wellington.
Another two England-based Springboks, scrum-half Faf de Klerk of the Sale Sharks and Franco Mostert of Gloucester, will remain in South Africa for the rest of the Championship.
Injuries have ruled three local-based backs, winger Makazole Mapimpi and centres Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende, out of the Tests against the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
Coach Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus has named a preliminary 17-man squad which will be expanded after three Currie Cup fixtures this weekend.
The 36-34 triumph over New Zealand last weekend has boosted ticket sales with only 4,000 remaining for the clash with Australia in coastal city Port Elizabeth.
All tickets for the New Zealand Test in Pretoria -- the highlight of the South African rugby calendar -- have been snapped up.
World champions New Zealand lead the Championship standings with 16 points after four rounds, South Africa have 10, Argentina eight and Australia five.
The All Blacks will seal a sixth Champioship title in seven attempts if they secure a bonus-point win over the Pumas in Buenos Aires next Saturday.