The Southern Kings have lost captain Luke Watson to injury for at least six months, making him unavailable for their last three games of the Super Rugby season and a likely relegation playoff.

The Port Elizabeth-based Kings said on Wednesday that the loose forward would have surgery and undergo “months of rehabilitation” for an ankle problem.

Centre Andries Strauss will take over as captain for the remaining regular-season games.

Currently the lowest-placed South African team in Super Rugby, the Kings will likely face a relegation playoff against Johannesburg’s Lions, who were dropped from the competition last year for the competition newcomers.

The Kings’ remaining games are South African derbies against the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks, starting on Saturday.

The two-leg relegation playoff is on July 26 and August 2.