The Ireland rugby camp remains in doubt over the fitness of back-row Rory Best ahead of Saturday’s November Test against South Africa in Dublin.

The Ulster captain has been struggling with a calf problem this week and Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss says that a final decision on the hooker’s availability will have to wait until Thursday. Best did, however, come through a modified training session earlier today.

“I wouldn’t like to predict too much, but he had a little bit of light action today and everything went fine with it, so we’ll probably be more informed on Thursday” Kiss stated.

The Ireland team to face South Africa will be named on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, South Africa are dealing with injury problems of their own with Ruan Pienaar ruled out of the remainder of the side’s tour due to a knee ligament injury. Toulouse’s Jano Vermaak has been called into the squad in place of the Ulster man.