Rugby Championship
De Villiers suffers fractured jaw in South Africa defeat
ESPN Staff
August 9, 2015
De Villiers suffered a jaw fracture in defeat to the Pumas.
De Villiers suffered a jaw fracture in defeat to the Pumas.© Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images

South Africa have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the Rugby World Cup with confirmation that captain Jean de Villiers suffered a fractured jaw in the 37-25 defeat to Argentina.

The Springboks captain will be out of action for at least four weeks, missing the return fixture against the Pumas, with South Africa's World Cup opener against Japan on September 19.

De Villiers was returning from an eight-month injury layoff in Durban on Saturday, having been stretchered off with a serious knee injury against Wales back in November. Injuries also affected his involvement at the last two World Cups and the centre is expected to retire once the upcoming tournament ends.

The 34-year-old will expect to return for the Pool B opener in Brighton however, before matches against Samoa, Scotland and the United States.

There was more bad post-match news for Heyneke Meyer, with Marcell Coetzee ruled out for six weeks with a medial collateral ligament problem. The flanker must now prove his fitness if he is to be included in their final 31-man squad for the tournament.

Willie le Roux will also undergo scans on his ankle after the full-back limped off at King's Park, although Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez and JP Pietersen will all have their fitness assessed on Monday and could be available next weekend in Buenos Aires.

© ESPN Staff

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