Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen is expected to miss the Rugby Championship and has been released from the Springbok squad due to injury.
Vermeulen injured his knee playing for his French club Toulon and has withdrawn from the squad.
The Springboks open their Rugby Championship campaign at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga next weekend against Argentina on 20 August
Vermeulen underwent a MRI scan on Friday evening after playing for his club and he will in all likelihood undergo surgery next week to repair damages caused by the recurring injury to his right knee.
The Springbok management has confirmed that for now, no replacement will be called up as they feel the squad currently has sufficient cover amongst the loose forwards for the first Test against Argentina. They will assess the situation thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Springbok squad reassembles on Sunday in Johannesburg to resume with their preparations for the Pumas encounter.
Their overseas-based players as well as two Springbok Sevens Olympians will join the Bok squad in Johannesburg, from where they will travel to Nelspruit.
