Namibia centre Le Roux Malan undergoes ankle surgery

Namibia head coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that centre Le Roux Malan has successfully undergone a surgery following his latest injury setback.

Malan was stretchered off the field in the 17th minute during the recently concluded Pool A game against New Zealand following an ankle injury.

"From a physical point of view, he was operated on last night," Coetzee said Saturday.

"There's a fracture and a dislocation, so it's quite tough for him.

"The sooner they've done the operation, the better for his recovery and also for the season ahead. Very successful operation that he had, according to the doctor."

The 24-year-old was gifted with a signed New Zealand jersey following the setback and Coetzee lauded the All Blacks for their 'sportsmanship'.

"It says a lot about the sportsmanship of this World Cup, it's a good gesture from the All Blacks," said Coetzee, the ex-Springbok coach.

"That is not just saying the ethos and the culture and the values of rugby, but actually living and feeling it. That to me is unbelievable of the All Blacks to do something like that."

Namibia are currently languishing at the bottom of Pool A after two defeats from as many games and they will be facing France next on Thursday.