Eben Etzebeth is set to be ruled out until at least April because of shoulder and back injuries.
The Bok captain was forced off the field just before half-time in the match against Wales in Cardiff last month, after he sustained a nerve injury that caused severe pain in his left shoulder.
He has a conservative return date set for May and should be available for the Boks’ three-Test series against England in June.
Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images