Boom Prinsloo will miss the start of the Super Rugby season after undergoing surgery for a groin injury.

The Cheetahs gathered on Monday for the first time ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby season, with 11 of their 12 new signings joining in pre-season training. However, Prinsloo was nowhere to be seen after going under the knife for the second time this year. According to coach Naka Drotské, the loose forward is likely to be out of action for about four months.

The 25-year-old hasn't enjoyed the best of times with injury recently and only played 80 minutes of rugby during the Cheetahs' Currie Cup campaign.

He is not the only player likely to miss the start of the Super Rugby season, with flyhalf Elgar Watts and locks Boela Serfontein and Hilton Lobberts all suffering from knee injuries. Drotské says he expects Serfontein and Watts to return in March, although Lobberts has been ruled out until May.

Other players who have returned for pre-season with injuries are centre Francois Venter (calf, three weeks), utility back PJ Vermeulen (rib, three weeks), flyhalf Francois Brummer (thigh, three weeks) and lock Freddie Ngoza (groin, two weeks).

Lock Carl Wegner (shoulder), centre Nicholas Lee (shoulder) and prop George Marich (forearm) are all facing a race to be fit for the Cheetahs' opening match against the Sharks on 14 February.

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