South Africa have confirmed that captain Jean de Villiers suffered a dislocated knee during the 12-6 defeat to Wales in the Autumn Internationals on Saturday.
The centre was stretchered off after sustaining the injury in the second half of the game in Cardiff, having taken a hit while his studs were planted in the turf.
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer told Sky Sports News: "Losing our captain was a big setback. Jean has had so many knee injuries.
Victor Matfield's a great leader. But I feel really sorry for Jean. I hope he will be back for the World Cup."
De Villiers, who will undergo scans to determine the full extent of the damage, previously tore knee ligaments five minutes into his international debut in 2002.
