Springbok lock Lood de Jager is set to be out for up to six months as he will require more surgery on his injured shoulder, the Sale Sharks have revealed.

De Jager was forced off the field late on in the Sale Sharks’ win over the Leicester Tigers after taking a heavy blow to his shoulder and is now set for another lengthy period on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old had his debut for the Sale Sharks delayed because of a similar injury suffered in the 2019 World Cup final against England.

ALSO READ: Pollard’s injury presents flyhalf puzzle

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond hoped De Jager would be able to avoid an operation and return for the Premiership semi-finals on 10 October, but this week revealed that the Springbok will have to go under the knife.

‘It’s not great news on Lood,’ Diamond said. ‘He’s going to have surgery and it will probably be longer [than last time]. It is probably going to be a rebuild, so will be five to six months.’

De Jager’s was the third injury suffered by a Springbok lock in quick succession, with RG Snyman injuring his ACL ligament (ruling him out for the rest of the season) and Eben Etzebeth picking up a ribs injury.

The Springboks will also be without star flyhalf Handre Pollard for the Rugby Championship after he also tore his ACL while playing for Montpellier in the French Top 14 last weekend.

ALSO READ: Last chance for Lions tour tickets

Photo: Getty Images