Western Province have suffered a massive blow with the news that fullback Warrick Gelant has seemingly torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee.
Gelant suffered the injury in WP's 22-20 defeat to the Bulls in their Currie Cup opener at Newlands over the weekend.
More details surrounding the injury are expected out of the union on Tuesday, but it is understood that it is serious and is likely to be a hammer blow for the player, as ACL injuries normally mean up to nine months on the sidelines.
Gelant will therefore be in a race against time to be fit for the Springboks' home series against the British & Irish Lions next year.
The first Test is less than eight months away - on 24 July - and Gelant would struggle to be fit in time.
The 25-year-old was a standout performer for the Stormers in the recent Super Rugby Unlocked tournament and would have been a strong candidate for the Springbok No 15 jersey.
He was a member of South Africa's World Cup-winning squad in Japan last year and boasts nine Test caps.
- Compiled by Sport24 staff
My heart is bleeding for my WP friends. Unfortunately more bad news today with Warrick Gelant injured. It seems like he will be sidelined for more or less 9 months with an ACL. He is one of the WP players that constantly performed well. Big blow.
— Hendrik Cronjé (@hendrikcronje71) November 30, 2020