South Africans Pollard, De Jager sidelined by World Cup injuries

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Final - England v South Africa - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - November 2, 2019 South Africa's Handre Pollard in action with England's Owen Farrell REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Two of South Africa’s World Cup winners face significant spells on the sidelines after injuries sustained in Saturday’s 32-12 final victory over England in Yokohama.

Flyhalf Handre Pollard, who stayed on the field for the whole match against England, has had surgery on a fractured eye socket and will be ruled out for six weeks, delaying his move to French Top 14 side Montpellier, South African Rugby said on Thursday.

Lock Lood de Jager dislocated his right shoulder after 22 minutes of the final and was replaced. He will have surgery in Cape Town next week, with an expected recovery time of four to six months.

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Final - England v South Africa - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - November 2, 2019 South Africa's Lood De Jager holds his arm REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo

De Jager, 26, was set to join English side Sale Sharks after the World Cup, but his move to the Premiership will be delayed until next year.

(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)