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Wales coach Warren Gatland has revealed Ellis Jenkins will have a scan on Monday for what appears to be an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Wales flanker suffered the horrendous knee injury late on in Wales' 20-11 win over South Africa - receiving treatment on the field for several minutes before being carried off on a stretcher while receiving pain-killing gas.

And at the post-match press conference, Gatland said they didn't know the extent of the injury yet, but admitted it didn't look good.

Jenkins suffered the injury when he was cleared out of a ruck and his leg seemingly got stuck.

"I don’t know how he is," said Gatland. "There will be a scan on Monday.

"It looks like an ACL which is not brilliant.

(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency)

"He’s very disappointed. His performance was outstanding.

"Before the game, I had a one-on-one with him. I thought he was excellent.

"I thought today was an outstanding performance and he deserved man of the match.

"You have to really feel for him."

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An anterior cruciate ligament can take a number of months to recover from, with his Six Nations hopes surely over, and even his entire season finished ahead of next year's World Cup.

It is clearly very early days, but if Jenkins does require ACL reconstruction surgery, then it could take between eight and 12 months to recover - although many athletes have returned in six months or less due to more advanced post-operation rehabilitation.

The flanker received treatment for several minutes after the final whistle on the pitch, with numerous Wales and South Africa players going over to check on Jenkins as he received medical attention. Gatland praised his "special group of players" following that show of support.

Gatland also admitted that the serious injury to the Cardiff Blues flanker took some of the shine off a victory that secured a first autumn clean sweep.

"When anyone gets injured it's the hardest thing to take," said Gatland.

"You know it’s a big year for a lot of players and they work so hard.

"He was co-captain on the summer tour and he did a great job.

"When you see a player who has worked hard to win his spot and get in the team, pick up an injury, you feel for him."