Ulster face an anxious wait on the fitness of scrum-half Ruan Pienaar after he was forced off during South Africa’s 14-10 Rugby Championship loss to New Zealand in Wellington.
Pienaar was carried off in the 36th minute with a knee injury, and could be out for between six and eight weeks, Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer said.
Pienaar picked up the injury after a collision with his team-mate Duane Vermeulen.
In a bruising encounter, New Zealand inside centre Ma'a Nonu broke his arm, meaning that his involvement in the competition is at an end.
The extent of both injuries would need to be determined after further medical checks, with Nonu being taken off to hospital during the game while Pienaar's injury will be assessed back in South Africa.
Ulster play their first European Champions Cup game against Leicester on 18 October, and Pienaar would be a massive loss for Ulster should he be unavailable.
Last season he scored all Ulster’s points when they beat the Tigers at Welford Road.
