Days after completing a gruelling five months with South Africa, Eben Etzebeth is poised to spend another three on the sidelines.
The 2019 Rugby World Cup winner played the full 80 minutes in last Saturday's 27-26 defeat by England, though it's since been established he suffered his third concussion of the year at Twickenham.
As difficult as the decision may be given their struggles so far this season, Toulon announced the rugby star will be stood down until February as a result.
The French outfit published a statement that read: “In the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and the Springboks last weekend, Rugby Club Toulonnais’ South African second-row Eben Etzebeth suffered a third concussion in a year.
“After specialist advice and in accordance with the concussion management protocol of the National Rugby League, the player must observe a three-month break.
“Rugby Club Toulonnais wishes Eben Etzebeth a speedy recovery.”
Toulon were struggling at 13th in the Top 14 after the opening eight rounds of the campaign, with head coach Patrice Collazo sacked in October and replaced by former Clermont Auvergne boss Franck Azema.
Etzebeth, 30, joined the club in 2019 and was particularly effective last season when he started in 16 of his 18 appearances across all competitions.
However, his input this term now appears destined to be minimal, at first because of his commitments to the Springboks and now due to less foreseen circumstances.
The former Stormers star has been almost omnipresent for South Africa this year, starting in 10 of their 13 games in 2021, including all three of their games during the series win over the British and Irish Lions.
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International compatriot Cheslin Kolbe has also been delayed in his debut for the club, having confirmed his move from rivals Toulouse earlier this year prior to suffering a leg injury.
Concussion and head trauma injuries in general are a particular concern in the sport after World Rugby recently launched the Brain Health Initiative.
The project has been formed in partnership with International Rugby Players and some of rugby's leading national unions, aiming to provide more education and access for those with concerns over their welfare.
Rugby has witnessed a rise in retired players being diagnosed with early-onset dementia, probable CTE and other brain abnormalities in recent years.
The Brain Health Initiative launch hasn't come without criticism, either, particularly the notion certain 'modifiable risk factors'—such as obesity and smoking—contribute as much to brain abnormalities as head collisions.
Former Dragons and Exeter Chiefs centre Adam Hughes—who was forced to retire at 28 due to repeat head injuries—recently told the Scrum V podcast the material came across "in completely the wrong way."
As well as delaying Etzebeth's return to the Top 14, the lock's stand-down period will see him miss the start of Toulon's Challenge Cup campaign, which kicks off at home to Zebre on December 17.
The French outfit are then scheduled to face Worcester Warriors and Newcastle Falcons on back-to-back weekends in Pool A, but Etzebeth won't be at Azema's disposal for any of those fixtures.
