Springbok captain to see specialist following injury

Springboks skipper Eben Etzebeth will see a specialist after suffering neck and shoulder injuries in South Africa's defeat to Wales on Saturday.

The lock had to be withdrawn before half-time in his side's pulsating 24-22 defeat at the Principality Stadium after suffering nerve damage, which caused "severe pain in his left shoulder", according to SA Rugby's statement.

Update - Springbok capt Eben Etzebeth sustained a nerve injury causing left shoulder pain. Scans were normal. Full medical update Sunday. #WALvRSA

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) December 2, 2017

"The scans we took on Saturday evening after the match came out normal," Springboks team doctor Konrad von Hagen said.

"Eben will, however, visit a specialist in Cape Town to further investigate the injured shoulder and his troublesome back."

South Africa fought from 18 points down in Cardiff to stand on the brink of a win that would have boosted head coach Allister Coetzee's long-term job prospects, only for Leigh Halfpenny to kick a crucial 68th-minute penalty and snatch victory for the hosts.