Themba Zwane's return to South Africa on Thursday came with an immediate trip to hospital to undergo an operation following his injury on Tuesday.
Zwane was taken out after 40 minutes as Bafana Bafana drew with Congo in Brazzaville in their Group K AFCON qualifier.
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Bafana coach Hugo Broos then immediately pointed out after the match that it was an Achilles issue, which has now left his club Mamelodi Sundowns without an inspirational figure until next year.
The 35-year-old underwent scans at Clinique Médicale SECUREX in Brazzaville on Wednesday afternoon, before travelling back home, where he is going under the knife under the supervision of the club's medical team.
"On Themba, the report that we got is that it's a partial rupture, which could be around three to four months," says Manqoba Mngqithi, the Sundowns coach.
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"Clinically, they said it's a grade three, but I think we will get better feedback this afternoon (Thursday) because he is going for surgery.
"Possibilities between four to six months," he says.
The Brazilians begin their Carling Knockout campaign against Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday (18:00).