Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an ankle injury in the win over Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday.

Coetzee was forced off in the first half at Loftus Versfeld after appearing to take a heavy blow to the head and did not return to finish the match. He was left out of the 36-man squad that gathered in Bloemfontein on Sunday for the start of a four-day World Cup camp.

The Springboks management has since confirmed that Coetzee will undergo ankle surgery on Wednesday, which will rule him out of action for the next 12 weeks.

It comes as a massive blow for the Ulster-based flank who had made his first Test appearances this year since 2015 – he was viewed as a potential versatile loose-forward option with his ability to shift to No 8.

The Springboks have also released four players to return to their respective franchises to pick up game time in this weekend’s final round of the Currie Cup.

Bulls loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka is joined by Lions lock Marvin Orie and Sharks duo Thomas du Toit and Andre Esterhuizen in returning to their provinces.

The Springbok RWC squad announcement takes place on Monday, 26 August at 3pm in Johannesburg.

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