Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces up to three months on the sidelines after suffering a syndesmosis injury — a high ankle sprain — during the Stormers' 44-21 URC quarter-final win over Cardiff on Saturday.
The 24-year-old was forced off early in the second half after scoring the Stormers' fourth try and was seen on crutches following the match. Stormers coach John Dobson described the injury as "pretty serious", and News24 is now reporting a three-month recovery timeline.
If that holds, Feinberg-Mngomezulu would miss the remainder of the URC campaign, the Nations Championship Tests against England, Scotland and Wales in July, and at least part of the Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks in August and September, as well as the Argentina Test.
On Instagram, Feinberg-Mngomezulu addressed the setback directly: "Frustrated, irritated and questioning why me? Sometimes the game reminds you that you're not invincible. Another injury, another chance to come back hungry, determined and focused. I've got a job to do, get back and get back better than I left."
His absence adds to a lengthening Springbok injury list that already includes Lood de Jager, Ethan Hooker, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach and RG Snyman. At 10, Rassie Erasmus retains Manie Libbok and Handré Pollard as options.