All Blacks flanker Sam Cane will be out of action for several months after fracturing his neck in the 32-30 triumph over South Africa on Saturday.

The incident occurred in the 36th minute following a collision with Springboks’ number eight Francois Louw.

Cane has undergone surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, but the openside will miss New Zealand’s game with Australia, as well as the November series.

All Blacks doctor Tony Page said: “We have every confidence he will do well with the operation and like any fracture it will probably take about three months for the bone to get strong and we’ll take it step by step.

“The operation is really just to keep everything in the right place so the bone can heal on its own accord. Many sportsmen have had this injury as have people in other walks of life and they usually make a good recovery.

“Sam is in good spirits. He was obviously sore in the middle of the night, as you are after a fracture, but he is being well looked after and he’s getting lots of support, lots of texts and phone calls.”