Video: The news that Springbok fans won't want to hear

South Africa suffered a major blow on Saturday with Patrick Lambie limping off in Racing 92’s 15-12 Champions Cup final defeat to Leinster.

Lambie was hoping for a call-up for the upcoming June Tests against Wales and England but that’s now looks unlikely as he revealed to RugbyPass the extent of his injury.

“I am not all that uncomfortable right now, but the diagnosis doesn’t look all that good, but we will wait and see on Monday for confirmation. Double disappointment having to leave the field through injury and Racing were unlucky not to get over the line after leading for the majority of the match.”

But asked whether his season was done, Lambie elaborated.

“It looks like it yes, like I said the diagnosis isn’t great, I have to wait and see after the MRI scans on Monday and we’ll take it from there, but by the sounds of things I won’t be playing for a month or for a few months. The speculation is that I have done my ACL ligament, that is six to nine months I guess.”

“It is a long road of recovery, but it is not the end, I will be back, exactly when I am not sure.”

27-year-old Lambie remains eligible for the Springboks as an overseas-based player because he meets the established 30-cap minimum threshold.

He was certainly on form for Racing 92 as he tried to capture the attention of new Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus.

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Speaking before the Champions Cup final Lambie said “I would love to play for them again and go to the World Cup next year. I realised moving overseas was maybe going to make it more difficult to play for the Springboks even though there is the 30 Tests rule,” said Lambie.

“I know there’s the pressure to select locally-based players. If I get selected that would be wonderful. Rassie Erasmus has made contact but not in the last few weeks. Will wait and see what happens – winning one or two titles would help… I’m sure!”

But his World Cup hopes are now in the balance with a potential long spell on the sidelines.