Billy Proctor will miss the remainder of New Zealand’s tour after suffering a fractured shoulder blade during the All Blacks’ 38-21 win over the Stormers in Cape Town.
The outside centre started the match at Cape Town Stadium on Friday, 7 August, but was forced off early in the second half as New Zealand held a 14-7 lead.
The South African reports that scans following the match confirmed the extent of Proctor’s injury, with the centre expected to require between 10 and 12 weeks to recover.
Caleb Clarke replaced Proctor during the match, while New Zealand have yet to announce whether another player will be called into the squad for the remainder of the tour.
The injury means Proctor will not feature in any of the remaining fixtures on the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour, including the All Blacks’ upcoming clash against the Sharks in Durban.
Proctor is the second New Zealand player to leave the tour early because of injury.
Hooker George Bell was ruled out after suffering a calf injury during training in Cape Town last Sunday. He has since returned home and is expected to spend four to six weeks recovering.
Bradley Slater has taken Bell’s place and is set to feature from the bench when the All Blacks face the Sharks on Tuesday.
The latest setback leaves New Zealand with another selection decision to make as the tour moves from Cape Town to Durban and then Pretoria before the Test series begins.
The All Blacks face the Sharks at Kings Park on Tuesday, 11 August, before travelling to Pretoria to meet the Bulls on Saturday, 15 August.
Their first Test follows against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, 22 August, with the second Test scheduled for Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 29 August.
New Zealand will then play the third Test at FNB Stadium before concluding the tour with a fourth Test against the Springboks in Baltimore, United States.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures
- Tuesday, 11 August: Sharks vs All Blacks, Kings Park, Durban – 7pm
- Saturday, 15 August: Bulls vs New Zealand, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 7pm
- Saturday, 22 August: First Test, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 5:10pm
- Tuesday, 25 August: Lions vs New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 7pm
- Saturday, 29 August: Second Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 5:10pm
- Saturday, 5 September: Third Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – 5:10pm
- Saturday, 12 September: Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States – 11pm (SA time)
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