Media Release: The Vodacom Blue Bulls tighthead prop Frik Kirsten is going to be on the sideline as a result of a neck injury for six to eight months.

Dr Org Strauss confirmed on Tuesday morning that the 21-year-old needs to go for an operation attributable to a disc lesion in his neck.

Kirstens neck gave him some trouble during the course of last week and therefore he had to withdraw from the match against the Western Province. The injury is more serious than first thought and he will go for the operation in about two weeks time.