Two of South Africa’s World Cup winners face significant spells on the sidelines after injuries sustained in their final victory over England in Yokohama.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard, who stayed on the field for the whole match against England, has had surgery on a fractured eye socket and will be ruled out for six weeks, delaying his move to French Top 14 side Montpellier, South African Rugby said on Thursday.
Lock Lood de Jager dislocated his right shoulder after 22 minutes of the final and was replaced. He will have surgery in Cape Town next week, with an expected recovery time of four to six months.
De Jager, 26, was set to join English side Sale Sharks after the World Cup, but his move to the Premiership will be delayed until next year.