Rugby-Springbok front rowers Koch, Mbonambi face lengthy layoffs

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Final - New Zealand v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 28, 2023 South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

DURBAN (Reuters) - South Africa's Vincent Koch and Bongi Mbonambi face lengthy spells on the sidelines after injuries picked up on the way to winning the World Cup turned out to be more serious than initially anticipated.

Mbonambi, who limped off early in the World Cup win over New Zealand in France last month, has a knee injury that could keep him out until May. Koch, who was left out of the final because of a knee injury, faces a three-month lay off.