Ulster's new signing Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out for nine months with a knee injury.

The South African flanker was stretchered off during the Sharks’ 24-9 Super Rugby defeat to the Lions at the weekend.

And now he is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed he has injured his ACL.

The 24-year-old, who has 28 caps for the Springboks, signed for Ulster in February, but it now looks like might have to wait until 2017 to make his debut for the province.