Lions centre Howard Mnisi will be out of action for at least nine months as the result of a serious knee injury.

Mnisi sustained a horrid knee injury in the 13th minute of the Lions’ Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, and it has been confirmed he will need corrective surgery which will keep him sidelined for an extensive period.

Harold Vorster replaced Mnisi in the match, which the Lions went on to win 28-25 thanks to a late try by Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

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It is unclear whether coach Johan Ackermann will add anyone to the squad to fill the void, as there are already several players who can plug the gap in midfield.

The Lions will face the Waratahs at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’unga has been ruled out for eight weeks after he underwent surgery on his hand following an injury sustained in the win against the Brumbies.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images