South Africa

Jean de Villiers faces 'at least eight months out'

ESPN Staff

Jean de Villiers is treated for his injury © PA Photos Enlarge

South Africa skipper Jean de Villiers requires surgery on his injured knee and is a doubt for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

De Villiers dislocated his left kneecap in the 58th minute of South Africa's 12-6 loss to Wales on Saturday. He underwent scans soon after the game and they showed significant ligament damage and after visiting an orthopedic surgeon in Cape Town, it has been confirmed he requires surgery.

"We are currently consulting with the best specialists in South Africa to determine the best way to approach the surgery as there are potentially a few options available," said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts. "It's imperative that the best course of action is decided on so that Jean can start recovery and rehabilitation as soon as possible to give him the best chance to be fit for the World Cup.

"At this stage it's still difficult to determine how long he will be out of action, but it would probably be at least eight months."

The news comes as a bitter blow both for player and country. De Villiers has been an integral part of the Springboks side under Heyneke Meyer and on a personal level, he has had terrible misfortune with World Cups.

In the final warm-up game prior to the 2003 World Cup he picked up a shoulder injury that sidelined him for eight months and in his first game in the 2007 showpiece, he picked up a bicep injury that kept him out of the rest of the tournament. In 2011 he was fit but South Africa were knocked out at the quarter-final stage.

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