Cape Town - EP Kings captain Luke Watson will not play any further part in this year’s Currie Cup after undergoing surgery.
Watson went under the knife last Wednesday to repair a knee contusion as well as cartilage flap.
The Kings on Monday announced that the operation was a success, with Watson set to be ready for pre-season training as the men from Port Elizabeth prepare for their return to Super Rugby next year.
The Kings will start their Super Rugby campaign at home against the Sharks on Saturday, February 27.
The six South African teams are grouped in two African pools along with the new entrants from Japan and Argentina.
Africa Conference 1 - which will play against the Australian conference in 2016 - is made up of the Bulls, Cheetahs, Stormers and the Japanese team.
Africa Conference 2 features the Kings, Lions, Sharks and the Argentinian team and will play against the New Zealand conference.
The existing ten Australasian teams will be divided into New Zealand and Australian pools.
The winners of each pool will earn automatic entry to the knockout Super Rugby Finals Series.
The next highest-ranked team from the African conference will also be placed in the Finals Series along with the three next highest-ranked teams from Australasian conference.