Cape Town - Australian and Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper faces a 16-week recovery after MRI scans confirmed he requires surgery to heal an AC joint injury suffered against the Rebels on Saturday.
According to the official Super Rugby website, Cooper will undergo surgery on his shoulder on Tuesday to repair a Grade 3 AC joint injury in his left shoulder after he fell awkwardly in a tackle.
The flyhalf will use the lengthy recovery window to also undergo arthroscopic surgery to clean up loose cartilage in his hip.
Cooper should be back to full health in mid-September and potentially be available for selection in Australia's final two matches of The Rugby Championship.