South Africa have been handed a boost by the news that lock Pieter-Steph du Toit should be fit in time to feature at the Rugby World Cup after undergoing successful knee surgery.
The Sharks star twisted his knee in a tackle during last weekend's 29-10 triumph over Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Originally the prognosis for Du Toit suggested he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and there were fears he would not be a part of Heyneke Meyer's squad for the World Cup.
However, Sharks have stated that the injury is not as bad as first thought and it now appears that the 22-year-old will be fit in time to feature at the showpiece for the Springboks.
A statement from Sharks read: "Pieter-Steph du Toit underwent a knee stabilisation procedure in Cape Town. The surgery went well and the damage to the knee joint was not as bad as originally thought.
"We hope to have him fit again in three months."