All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams underwent surgery for a chest injury on Wednesday, which has ended his hopes of fighting South African heavyweight Francois Botha next month.
Williams, 27, who in August quit the world champion New Zealand team to take up a club contract in Japan, injured his pectoral muscle playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights on Saturday.
He underwent scans after arriving in Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for his November 24 bout, and told fans he went under the knife Wednesday.
"Just spoke to the doctor, operation went well," Williams told his 185,000 followers on Twitter.
"Thanks for the support I've been truly blessed."
Williams, the New Zealand heavyweight champion, had earlier told Fox Sports the Botha bout was a "little bit in doubt" due to his injury, but the fight has since been postponed to February.
The destructive centre, on a contract to play 12 matches for Panasonic worth a reported US__?__.2 million, crunched his shoulder attempting a tackle on former Western Force centre Gene Fairbanks during Saturday's match.
AFP
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