The 33-year-old, capped 83-times and a pivotal member of the 2019 and 2023 World Cup winning sides, suffered the injury playing a Currie Cup match for Western Province last year.  

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra thanked his support staff and well-wishers for the care after a freak on-field accident as he returned to action.

World MotoGP champion Jorge Martin will miss the first race of the season this weekend in Thailand after sustaining several fractures in a fall.

France second-row Emmanuel Meafou is a doubt for next month's Six Nations showdown with Ireland after missing training with his club Toulouse on Monday.