PIC: All Black undergoes successful operation after neck break

Cape Town - All Blacks flank Sam Cane has undergone a successful operation after breaking his neck in last Saturday’s clash against the Springboks in Pretoria.

Cane went off in the 35th minute of New Zealand’s 32-30 win at Loftus Versfeld and All Blacks doctor Tony Page said he fractured a vertebra in the lower right side of the neck but did not suffer any nerve damage.

The All Blacks posted on their official Twitter account late on Tuesday that the operation was successful.

“Sam would like to thank everyone for all the support he has received from around the world, he is set to make a full recovery,” the post read.

The All Blacks doctor said the 26-year-old would be sidelined for "several months", ruling him out of the All Blacks' end-of-season tour, which includes Tests against Australia, Japan, England, Ireland and Italy.

But coach Steve Hansen said he expected the Rugby World Cup winning loose forward, who has played 60 Tests, to return to top-level rugby.    

UPDATE | #AllBlacks loose forward @SamCane7 is up and about after his successful operation in South Africa. Sam would like to thank everyone for all the support he has received from around the world, he is set to make a full recovery. ?? pic.twitter.com/sdbeSMHVkI

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 9, 2018

pic.twitter.com/X3jVlZnHTa

— Sam Cane (@SamCane7) October 10, 2018