Lions prop-forward Julian Redelinghuys successfully underwent neck surgery in Bloemfontein on Sunday and could be discharged from hospital later this week already.

Redelinghuys was stretchered off the field in the 44th minute after a nasty collision with Cheetahs hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld and was later diagnosed with a level C5/6 neck dislocation.

‘Julian’s operation went well on Sunday morning. He had a fusion at C5/6 level,’ said Lions team doctor Rob Collins.

‘If all goes well, he should be able to return home later this week.

He had minimal temporary weakness of his left arm. He was in traction and the urgency of the operation was to reduce and stabilise the dislocation.