Blow for Boks as Duane goes under the knife

Toulon - Toulon's bid to win back the Top 14 title will start without the services of their giant South African No 8 Duane Vermeulen, who underwent minor surgery on a nagging groin injury, the club said on Wednesday.

"He'll be out for three months," a club spokesperson said, adding Toulon had no plans to recruit a replacement for the 31-year-old, 1.93m former Stormers man capped 31 times by the Springboks.

Last season's losing Top 14 finalists Toulon have come under the scrutiny of French rugby's financial watchdog in the close season and have been less active than in recent years on the transfer market.

This means Vermeulen will also miss the Springboks' entire Rugby Championship campaign.

Ok let's do this.....?? pic.twitter.com/Ev9VadYT4I

— Duane Vermeulen (@duane_vermeulen) July 18, 2017