Will Genia’s World Cup hopes have taken a blow with the Wallabies halfback set for surgery on his injured knee.

The veteran played only the first half of Australia’s thrilling 24-20 win over South Africa on Saturday night, having limped off at halftime with what scans revealed as bone bruising and ligament damage.

Nick Phipps will start in his place in the second Rugby Championship Test in Argentina next weekend and has the chance to entrench himself at No.9 with Genia not expected to be available for selection until the two Bledisloe Cup Tests next month.