Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is set to miss the opening three rounds of the Rugby Nations Championship after injuring his ankle during the Stormers' 44-21 URC quarterfinal win over Cardiff on Saturday.
The flyhalf hurt himself in the act of scoring a try and will not travel to Dublin for Saturday's semifinal against Leinster. Stormers management confirmed the injury on Monday without specifying a timeline, saying only that he would be sidelined for a while.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu addressed the setback on Instagram on Sunday night: "Frustrated, irritated, and questioning why me? First time injured in 14 months. Sometimes the game reminds you that you're not invincible. Another injury, another chance to come back hungry, determined, and focused."
The injury compounds a deepening Springbok selection headache in the halfback channels. Cobus Reinach, who alongside Feinberg-Mngomezulu was expected to form the first-choice Bok pairing for next month's home Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, has been sidelined for a month with a knee injury and remains doubtful. South Africa also carries concerns over three other scrumhalves, while locks Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and RG Snyman are also in doubt.
Should Feinberg-Mngomezulu's absence extend into August and September, the implications grow considerably given the four-Test series against New Zealand.