Springboks loose forward Duane Vermeulen is having a neck operation then faces a race against the clock to be fit for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
South African Duane Vermeulen during the Rugby Championship Test Match New Zealand All Blacks v South Africa. Wellington. 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Springboks coach Heyeneke Meyer says it's a huge setback for the team, who open their World Cup pool campaign on the 19th of September.
Last year Vermeulen was named South Africa's Player of the Year, and he was nominated for the World Player of the Year.
Warren Whiteley is the only other specialist No.8 in the Springboks squad.
There was better news for the Springboks camp when their captain Jean de Villiers was declared fit to play again.
De Villiers, a key figure on and off the pitch for the Springboks, has missed the entire 2015 season because of a horrific knee injury suffered in South Africa's final test of last year against Wales in Cardiff.
The centre initially feared he would never walk again unaided, but after a full knee reconstruction, and agonising rehabilitation, he has been cleared to play in Saturday's exhibition game against a World XV in Cape Town.
De Villiers is one of six injured players given the all-clear to be considered, significantly reducing the team's long casualty list.
The others include first five Pat Lambie, and loose forward Schalk Burger.
