Ulster loose forward Marcell Coetzee will be sidelined for nine months after undergoing knee surgery.

The 28-cap Bok played just five matches for the Irish province last season due to a knee injury he sustained while playing for the Sharks.

Coetzee started against the Cheetahs in Ulster’s first match of this season, but missed the next five due to another knee injury.

‘Marcell Coetzee underwent surgery this week in South Africa,’ read an Ulster statement. ‘He has had recurrent left knee problems because of a laxity in his previously repaired ACL, and to repair this he has had revision surgery performed on this ligament. His anticipated return to play time is nine months.’

Photo: Ulster website