The Cheetahs have suffered a blow for the Currie Cup and Super Rugby hopes as Springbok flanker Heinrich Brussow has been ruled out for six months with a shoulder injury.

The injury means the Brussow will miss the rest of the Currie Cup, the Springboks end of year tour and the start of next season's Super Rugby tournament.

Brussow injured his shoulder playing for the Free State Cheetahs against Griquas and his management have decided that he needs surgery on the shoulder.

The injury prone flanker missed much of this year's Super Rugby campaign and the Currie Cup campaign due to a knee injury.

Brussow is now only expected back towards the end of March 2013 possibly when the Cheetahs play the Rebels in Bloemfontein in the 7th round on the 30th of March.