Faf opens up about surgery

REACTION: Injured Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk has broken his silence over the hip injury that ruled him out of South Africa's year-end tour.

De Klerk, who went under the knife on his 30th birthday last week Tuesday (October 19), finally gave an update this week.

"Not ideal having surgery on your 30th birthday," De Klerk said on his Instagram account.

"Just want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes and get well soon messages!"

He also had positive news on the surgery.

"Surgery went well and @minevanniekerk, @vincekoch1 and @jandre_koch made my day very special."

De Klerk's spot on the year-end tour has been taken by the uncapped scrumhalf Grant Williams, who travelled to Australia with the Boks for the Rugby Championship.

The main injury-enforced omissions from coach Jacques Nienaber's tour squad are De Klerk (hip flexor), Cheslin Kolbe (knee), Frans Malherbe (neck), and Rudolph Snyman (knee).

Other players not considered for selection include Pieter-Steph du Toit and Rynhardt Elstadt, who are recovering from shoulder and an ankle injury respectively.