Johannesburg – South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber said injured No.8 Duane Vermeulen could be sidelined for “five to 16 weeks” after undergoing ankle surgery on Wednesday.
Vermeulen, 34, a pivotal figure when the Springboks won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, hurt his ankle last weekend playing for his franchise, the Bulls.
“It is something players can come back from in anything from five to 16 weeks,” said Nienaber during a virtual media conference as South Africa prepares for a Test series against the British and Irish Lions.
The eagerly anticipated internationals will be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic in Cape Town on July 24 and In Johannesburg on July 31 and August 7.
Nienaber said there were no immediate plans to call up a replacement for Vermeulen, with in-form Jasper Wiese from Leicester Tigers one option should the veteran be ruled out.
“I’m not sure how long it means I’m out, but I am going to do everything in my power to be ready for the Lions,” said Vermeulen just before his surgery.
