The South Africa lock Franco van der Merwe has been ruled out for six months after undergoing ankle surgery, adding to a growing list of Springboks likely to miss this year's Rugby Championship.
Van der Merwe sustained a severe ankle injury in the Lions' 23-20 Super Rugby victory over the Queensland Reds at Ellis Park at the weekend and will be out until September.
Van der Merwe's injury comes a day after Sharks flyhalf Pat Lambie was told he will to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season with a torn bicep tendon.
Other Springboks currently out of action include Arno Botha, Bakkies Botha, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Bryan Habana, Coenie Oosthuizen and Pierre Spies.
