The family of South Africa and Stormers breakaway Schalk Burger says he’s in hospital with bacterial meningitis.
Fiona de Souza, a spokeswomen for the Burger family, says in a statement on Thursday, that “given a successful recovery, he will remain in hospital for the next 14 days, whereafter it will be at least another six weeks before he will be fit for playing”.
Burger contracted the potentially serious infection after surgery on a calf muscle to reduce pressure on a nerve.
The Stormers captain hasn’t played Super Rugby since he injured his knee 14 minutes into the first game last year, after which he underwent a season-ending knee operation. Given the captaincy again this year, he returned to fitness but injured his calf in the preseason.
Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Burger has played 68 tests for the Springboks.