Johannesburg - Lions and Springbok wing Ruan Combrinck was due to undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday.
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The 27-year-old picked up the injury while on duty for his Japanese club Kintetsu Liners and he was forced to return back to South Africa to get the injury treated.
READ: CHAVHANGA 'SURPRISED' AT COMBRINCK OMISSION
Capped seven times at international level, Combrinck has been overlooked so far this year by Bok coach Allister Coetzee and the surgery will almost certainly rule him out of contention for the remainder of the year.
Still, Combrinck was in high spirits as he took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to post a message to his 31 800 followers.
"What ever happens to me happens for me," he wrote.
The Lions also sent their support to Combrinck.
Smile & wave..Whatever happens to me, happens for me?????????? pic.twitter.com/gcI7qiPAJk
— Ruan Combrinck (@R_Combrinck15) October 10, 2017
Wishing @R_Combrinck15 a speedy recovery from his shoulder operation today!#LionsFamily https://t.co/iXNI9TkMN1
— Xerox Golden Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 10, 2017