Cape Town - Lions team doctor Rob Collins insists no one should be blamed for No 8 Warren Whiteley’s injury.
Whiteley was earlier this week ruled out for an extended period after scans revealed he had torn a ligament in his pelvis.
The Springbok captain was a last-minute withdrawal from last weekend’s Test against France at Ellis Park and was sent for scans.
“It’s obviously been worn for a while and now it’s torn. It’s really unfortunate, but no one is to blame, nobody did anything wrong,” Collins was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper.
Whiteley does not require surgery but is expected to be sidelined for between six and eight weeks, Lions Collins said.
“He’s one of the most professional guys I’ve dealt with regarding this sort of thing, so, if all goes well, he’ll be back before eight weeks," the Lions team doctor continued.
With the Super Rugby final scheduled for August 5, the injury means Whiteley will not take any further part in this year’s event and it also leaves his participation for the start of the Rugby Championship in doubt.
The Boks open their campaign against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on August 19.
That is over six weeks away and leaves the Bok skipper in a race against time to be fit for their Rugby Championship opener.