Bok flyer sidelined for four months
Combrinck underwent an operation on his right shoulder on Wednesday.
He sustained a fracture in his shoulder joint in the Springboks 13-27 loss to Wales in Cardiff last Saturday.
He will be out of action for approximately four months – meaning he will most likely miss the encounters with the Cheetahs (Bloemfontein, February 25), Waratahs (Ellis Park, Match 4), Lions (Buenos Aires, March 11), Reds (Ellis Park, March 18) and Kings (Port Elizabeth, Match 25).
It is the second major injury setback Combrinck has suffered his year.
Combrinck missed the bulk of the Rugby Championship season, after suffering a fractured fibula in the 24-26 Round Two loss to Argentina in Salta in August.
Combrinck, 26, returned to play for South Africa on the disastrous year-end tour – when they draw with the Barbarians in the tour opener, while losing to England, Italy and Wales.
He made his Springbok debut on June 18 in Johannesburg – when he came off the bench to score a crucial try in the 32-26 win at Ellis Park.
Combrink started in the third Tests against Ireland and the two Rugby Championship Tests against the Pumas, before the leg fractured sidelined him. He returned for the encounters with England, Italy and Wales last month.
He was a crucial member of the Lions team that advanced all the way to the Super Rugby Final, where they lost to the Hurricanes, and will be missed.
He is expected to return to action early in April.
Great success today. Thanx for the support!! All went well..Healing in Jesus name🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/yRcBfK4Xak
— Ruan Combrinck (@R_Combrinck15) November 30, 2016
