South Africa flanker Francois Louw to miss rest of Rugby Championship

South Africa flanker Francois Louw has been ruled out of the rest of the Rugby Championship due to a pinched nerve in his neck.

The 29-year-old suffered the problem on Saturday during his side's 14-10 defeat to New Zealand.

Louw, who plays his club rugby for Bath, is now expected to be out of action for around eight weeks.

"This is another setback as we prepare to host Australia and New Zealand in two very important matches as Francois has been superb for us in the last couple of seasons," Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer told the South African Rugby Union's official website.

South Africa return to action on September 27 when they host Australia in Cape Town.