South Africa hooker Bismarck du Plessis needs surgery on his right knee and has been ruled out for the rest of the season after being injured in the opening minutes of Saturday’s win over Argentina in the Rugby Championship.

The South African Rugby Union says Du Plessis was diagnosed with knee ligament damage following the game in Cape Town and has been withdrawn from the squad to travel to Argentina on Sunday.

The Springboks beat Argentina 27-6 in the Pumas’ southern hemisphere debut.

South Africa has called up Du Plessis’ Sharks teammate, Craig Burden, as cover. Adriaan Strauss and Tiaan Liebenberg are the other hookers in the squad, while prop Dean Greyling, lock Juandre Kruger and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak have also been added.