MUNSTER’S WORST FEARS over Jaco Taute’s knee injury were today confirmed after the Springbok centre undergoes surgery on the ligament damage he suffered at the weekend.

The 26-year-old was stretchered off during the victory over Cardiff Blues and after seeing a specialist this afternoon, will go under the knife ahead of a six month rehabilitation programme.

The news is a significant setback for Munster with Taute forming a promising midfield partnership with Chris Farrell during the early weeks of the season, although Rassie Erasmus yesterday pointed at the other options available to him.

Out-halves JJ Hanrahan and Tyler Bleyendaal can both deputise for Taute while Rory Scannell hit the ground running in his first appearance of the season against the Blues.

Nevertheless, the loss of a player of Taute’s calibre represents a blow for Munster ahead of the first defining period of the season with the three-time capped South African international now expected to be sidelined until March.

Furthermore, Munster are already without young centre Dan Goggin for a period of four to five months after he suffered a serious knee injury in the win over Treviso on the opening night of the season.

“It’s sad but Jaco is a tough guy and he will come back better. He’ll contribute off the pitch and he is a loss,” Erasmus said yesterday after Taute underwent a scan.

Munster face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday before Champions Cup pool games against Castres and Racing 92.

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