Springbok prop Ollie le Roux says the inclusion of Free State duo, Wian du Preez and Adriaan Strauss, is a major boost to the Boks' scrum power in the difficult European weather conditions.

The Cheetahs front rowers joined the Boks following injuries to Bulls pair, Chiliboy Ralepelle (foot) and Gurthro Steenkamp (knee), sustained during the Boks' 17-22 loss to Leicester last Friday.

Jannie du Plessis is also struggling with an injury which resulted in Leinster's CJ van der Linde getting a surprise Bok recall.

If Du Plessis fails to recover in time for Friday's Test against France, Du Preez could take up a spot on the Bok bench.

Lions prop Heinke van der Merwe's inclusion ahead of Du Preez raised plenty of eyebrows due to his lack of gametime and he was exposed against the experienced Tigers front row.

The Bok scrum was destroyed by the powerful Tigers pack but Le Roux says that with Strauss and Du Preez, who was initially overlooked, back in the Bok mix front row stock has been heavily boosted.

"Wian attacks the tighthead prop a lot more, while Gurthro struggles on his own," Le Roux told Volksblad newspaper.

"Adriaan also gels the pack as a unit a lot better. If you put Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan and Wian together it will be a front row to be reckoned with.

Le Roux also slammed coach Peter de Villiers' selection for the Bok Dirt-trackers defeated by Leicester last Friday.

"Anybody can see that Peter de Villiers included players in the midweek team that didn't deserve to be there. If you look at form, Steenkamp doesn't deserve to be there while Ralepelle and Bandise Maku haven't proven themselves at Currie Cup level.

"It's unfair towards players that played well in the [Currie Cup] series," Le Roux added.