Cape Town - The Cheetahs are waiting on scan results to determine the extent of the injury Oupa Mohoje picked up on Saturday.
The Springbok loose forward, who was named Cheetahs captain for the PRO14 season, lasted just 14 minutes of his side's 38-0 loss to Munster at Thomond Park before he left the field with a knee injury following several minutes of treatment.
Mohoje is now on his way back to South Africa where he will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Sport24 understands that the Cheetahs are anticipating the worst, and if Mohoje has torn his ACL as is feared then he could face up to nine months out.
It is a major blow to the Cheetahs, who are looking extremely thin this year having to field sides in both the PRO14 and Currie Cup.
In Mohoje, they had a leader with international experience. More than that, the 28-year-old gives a largely inexperienced Cheetahs pack some much-needed muscle on attack and defence.
It would also be a major blow to any hopes Mohoje had of forcing his way back into the Springbok mix as plans for next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan continue.
The Cheetahs now move on to Swansea where will meet Ospreys on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 18:30.