Worcester Warriors' Dewald Potgieter ruled out for three months

Worcester Warriors flanker Dewald Potgieter will be out of action for three months after another injury setback.

The South African has undergone an operation to repair a tendon tear in his left thigh after damaging it during a running session.

Potgieter joined Warriors in February from Japanese side Yamaha Jubilo and made four Premiership appearances, scoring a try at Newcastle before suffering a shoulder injury in the same game.

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"It had been four months since a bit of shoulder surgery sidelined me, and I was feeling pretty good and raring to go," said Potgieter.

"Final preparations for our annual training camp in France was taking place, and everything came together nicely, just in time for the start of the season.

"This latest setback will leave me hanging around for 12 weeks all in all. Experience tells me to break it up into more manageable bits - a two-week wait for the dressing to come off, another two weeks for that last bit of healing before I start with strength.

"It will be four more weeks before I can start running again, and the final stint of four weeks to return to full training and games."

Potgieter won consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Bulls in 2009 and 2010, amassing 70 appearances for the Pretoria-based side, and has six international caps.