Northampton Saints have confirmed that South African flanker Joe van Niekerk will not be joining the club after failing a medical examination.

Van Niekerk was announced as a Saints player in June but then suffered a spinal injury.
“Following this, our medical team was unable to provide a satisfactory report regarding Joe’s fitness,” said Saints’ chief executive Allan Robson.
“As a consequence, the contract concluded earlier is no longer valid.”
“We are naturally disappointed that Joe will not be joining us and wish him all the best for the future”.
Van Niekerk’s mother Cathy, who is also his agent, revealed to BBC Radio Northampton last week that the high-profile move was unlikely to go ahead.
“I have a contract from 1 November 2007 to 30 June 2010 signed by Joe and chief executive Allan Robson,” she said.
“On 30 October we received an e-mail to say they would not honour the deal.”
Van Niekerk captained the national schools, under-19 and under-21 sides before winning the first of his 46 Springbok caps.
He was one of South Africa’s top players at the 2003 World Cup but missed the 2007 tournament because of a back problem.
So far van Niekerk has spent his whole playing career in South Africa, but he came to Franklin’s Gardens towards the end of last season and was clearly excited by what he saw, despite the team’s ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation.
“To come to a club that’s as rich in tradition and history as Northampton is an awesome thing,” he said at the time.
“I could not believe the supporters when I came to watch the game, they were very passionate. I’m looking forward to it immensely.”
Van Niekerk now looks likely to join Super 14 side, the Lions.
