Cape Town - Centre Jaque Fourie is unlikely to feature for the Springboks this year due to an ankle injury.
According to the supersport.com website, Fourie will undergo an ankle operation on Tuesday which could keep him out of the game for up to six months.
Fourie, 31, last played for his Japanese club, Kobe Steelers, at the end of February.
It was initially reported that he would be ready for the Boks in June, but the ankle injury has proven to be worse than initially hoped.
The Springboks start their year with a game against the World XV at Newlands on June 7, followed by two Tests against Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit, June 21) and one against Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).
According to the supersport.com website, Fourie will undergo an ankle operation on Tuesday which could keep him out of the game for up to six months.
Fourie, 31, last played for his Japanese club, Kobe Steelers, at the end of February.
It was initially reported that he would be ready for the Boks in June, but the ankle injury has proven to be worse than initially hoped.
The Springboks start their year with a game against the World XV at Newlands on June 7, followed by two Tests against Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit, June 21) and one against Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).