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Springbok captain Jean de Villiers will require surgery on his injured left knee and will be in a race against time to be fit for the Rugby World Cup in England in September and October of next year. .
De Villiers left the field in the 58th minute of the Springboks' final Test of the season on Saturday against Wales in Cardiff, after twisting his left knee and dislocating his knee cap.
SA Rugby says De Villiers returned to South Africa on Monday and was assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon in Cape Town, who advised that the Springbok captain requires surgical reconstruction of the knee.
Team doctor Craig Roberts said its difficult to determine how long he will be out of action, but it would probably be at least eight months.
