Springbok captain Jean de Villiers will need surgery on his injured left knee and will be in a race against time to be fit for next year's World Cup.
De Villiers was stretchered off the field in the 58th minute of the South Africa's 12-6 defeat by Wales in Cardiff on Saturday after twisting his left knee and dislocating his knee cap.
The veteran returned to South Africa on Monday and was assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon in Cape Town, who advised that he needs surgical reconstruction of the knee.
"We are currently consulting with the best specialists in South Africa to determine the best way to approach the surgery as there are potentially a few options available," team doctor Craig Roberts said.
"It's imperative that the best course of action is decided on so that Jean can start recovery and rehabilitation as soon as possible to give him the best chance to be fit for the World Cup.
"At this stage it's still difficult to determine how long he will be out of action, but it would probably be at least eight months."
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has described the injury to De Villiers as "an unbelievable setback" ahead of the World Cup in England, which starts in September.
"We will do everything in our minds to get him there (to the World Cup), but it's going to be tough," he said.
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