Johannesburg based Super Rugby franchise the Lions will contest most of their first month of Super Rugby without Ross Cronje.
Cronje played in the Lions Super Rugby pre-season warm up match against the Bulls in Polokwane on 13 February and sustained an injury.
Scrumhalf Cronje fractured a a cheek bone as well as his nose and the match.
He will will undergo an operation on Wednesday 17 February and has bee ruled out for four weeks.
The Lions begin their Super Rugby campaign in Tokyo against the Sunwolves next Friday.