Australia fly-half Quade Cooper has suffered a fresh injury setback and is set to miss up to two months of action with a fractured scapula.
Cooper sustained the injury while making a tackle in Reds' 23-15 Super Rugby defeat against Rebels on Friday.
It was only Cooper's second match back after he suffered a fractured collarbone in pre-season, and his injury completed a miserable evening for a Reds side that have lost five straight matches.
The news will be a concern to Australia coach Michael Cheika with the Rugby World Cup set to place later this year.
Jake Schatz was also injured for Reds in the contest, the number eight has ruptured a tendon in his elbow.
Both players will now miss Reds' two-week tour of South Africa and coach Richard Graham told the club's official website: "After building on a good foundation from last week, it’s disappointing to lose the two boys ahead of an important tour.
"I will have a meeting with the coaching staff today about what balance we need to achieve within the squad, but the benefit we do have is we have had a number of younger players gain further experience at Super Rugby level earlier this season."