The All Blacks are sweating on the fitness of lock Brodie Retallick, who left the field injured during the 16-16 draw against the Springboks in Wellington on Saturday.
Retallick was taken to hospital after dislocating his shoulder in the 60th minute, casting huge doubt over his participation at the Rugby World Cup.
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Retallick was left in agony from what appeared to be an illegal ruck cleanout by South African forward RG Snyman.
Coach Steve Hansen said Retallick had gone to Wellington Hospital, but was unsure of the severity of the injury.
"He's on his way to hospital," Hansen said.
"He's dislocated his shoulder, whether he's fractured it as well we don't know. We just have to sit and wait. Once we know, we'll let you know."
A dislocated shoulder can usually take up to 16 weeks to recover, and with the All Blacks' first pool game at the World Cup less than two months away, Retallick faces a race against time if he wants to be on the plane to Japan.
The All Blacks are due to provide an injury update on Sunday.
All Blacks hooker Dane Coles said it was tough to see Retallick in pain.
"I found myself watching him when he was down. Usually you can kind of get on with things, but watching Big Guzz I was like 'man'," Coles said.
"He's one of those guys you want on your team, that you love to go out to battle with. I'm pretty gutted for him. I don't know what the prognosis is, so hopefully it's best-case scenario and he can rehab it up.
"He's a tough man and maybe a needle will help. I speak for the whole group when I say we feel for the big lad because he's a good man."
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