All Blacks flanker Sam Cane will be sidelined for several months, after fracturing his neck in their 32-30 victory over the Springboks in Pretoria on Sunday (NZ time).
Cane was helped off in the 35th minute, after a collision with Springbok Francois Louw's hip.
- Media reacts to South Africa's heartbreaking loss
- Springboks 'unlucky' against All Blacks - Steve Hansen
- As it happened: All Blacks vs Springboks
Cane got his head in an awkward position into a breakdown, when he made contact with Louw.
The 26-year-old stayed on the ground for a few minutes, before getting up and walking off the field in some discomfort.
All Blacks doctor Tony Page said Cane suffered from fractured vertebrae, but thankfully he hadn't suffered from any nerve damage - something that could have caused long-term problems.
Cane will stay on in Johannesburg for the week, where he will undergo surgery, before returning to New Zealand.
Page said Cane was expected to make a full recovery.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is pleased that Cane should be able to make a full recovery.
"It's obviously really disappointing for Sammy and his family, but the pleasing news is he's been given great medical care from the time of the injury and best of all, he's going to be able to get a full recovery and play again," Hansen said.
"So, once you remove, I suppose, the drama of it being a neck injury, you've just got to look at it and treat it like any fracture. The good news is he will play again."
Newshub.
