Marcell Coetzee ruled out of the Rugby World Cup

Ulster looseforward Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup in Japan after sustaining an ankle injury against Argentina on Saturday.

Coetzee left the field with a concussion after just 15 minutes on Saturday with Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also confirming that the no.8 had also injured his ankle and would not travel with the side to Bloemfontein for their final training camp.

The Springbok management has since confirmed that Coetzee will undergo ankle surgery on Wednesday, 21 August and he will be out of action for up to 12 weeks, which means he is also ruled out of contention for selection for the Springboks’ RWC squad

This is the second time Coetzee will miss a Rugby World Cup due to injury having sustained an ACL injury in the build up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Meanwhile, Lizo Gqoboka (Blue Bulls), Marvin Orie (Golden Lions), Thomas du Toit and André Esterhuizen (both Sharks) have been released from the Springbok training squad back to their provinces and will be available for Currie Cup selection this weekend.

The Springbok RWC squad announcement takes place on Monday, 26 August.