The Springboks have suffered another TriNations setback with the news that lock Andries Bekker will have surgery - keeping out of rugby until the Super 15.
Bekker needs surgery after a a recurrence of the back injury that resulted in him being in and out of the Springbok squad over the last two months.
His surgery will keep him out of the game for four months which rules him out until the Super 15 which starts next season.
Bekker joins an evergrowing list of players injured in South Africa nursing long term injuries such as scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and flank Heinrich Brussow.
The Springboks are already down a lock after Bakkies Botha was suspended for head-butting.
If Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is clever though he will use Bekker's absence as a chance to blood new talent ahead of the Rugby world cup next year.
Western Province coach Allister Coetzee said having surgery was in the player’s best interests. "This is the best decision for Andries," said Coetzee.
"He is one of our key players at Province and it will be good for his international career. "
"He needs to get over the injury because it has been bothering him for a while. " he told Newstime.
"The good news is that he will be fresh and hungry to play when he gets back in four months."
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