Benhard Janse van Rensburg will play no part in England's Autumn internationals in the Nations Championship

Bristol Bears star centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been stood down from all rugby duties indefinitely after suffering two significant concussions in the space of three months.

It has been confirmed that the 29-year-old centre, who just signed a new contract extension with the Bears, has been advised to take a number of weeks away from contact rugby following a specialist assessment, with England head coach Steve Borthwick confirming he will play no part in the autumn campaign.

Van Rensburg suffered his latest concussion when he was knocked unconscious by the knee of England teammate Henry Pollock while trying to make a tackle during Bristol's win against Northampton Saints on October 3.

The incident sparked huge concern among players on the pitch, with the opposition alerting the referee to bring the game to a halt so Janse van Rensburg could receive medical treatment before he was stretchered off, later rejoining his teammates to celebrate the win from the sidelines.

The South African-born centre had made his England Test debut against Fiji in July after the RFU sought special permission from World Rugby for the Gallagher PREM's most consistently high performer to be able to qualify on residency grounds despite having played for South Africa at U20s level, which at the time should have captured him for the Springboks.

After scoring a try on his debut against Fiji at Everton's stadium, Janse van Rensburg's second Test appearance out in Argentina was cut short following a brutal knock-out blow.

And his hopes of adding to his two caps, and Borthwick's plans of bringing him into his midfield ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, have been put on hold as he begins his recovery.

Borthwick said: “Benhard has seen a specialist and been advised to take a number of weeks of non-contact work before his reintroduction to rugby over the coming weeks.”

The indefinite stand-down means Van Rensburg will miss England's upcoming Nations Championship fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, as well as finals weekend in London at the end of November.

His next opportunity to feature for England could come during the Six Nations, although that will depend on his recovery and subsequent return to action, with the Bears understood to be hoping to have him back for the derby with Bath at the start of December.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: "He has just got to go through the process. Obviously, he has had two big concussions, so you have got to go through a protocol with an independent assessor; they determine the comeback time, which is great. This is what it is all set up for.

"In the old days, you just got up and rocked on, but we know the game is different now; it is all about the safety of the player.

"All he can do is keep going through the process. He is training, but we wait for the green light from the independent medical advisor on this and then away he goes.

"Because his concussions were two big ones, there is a process outside of my control and the club's control and I think that is a good thing. It is outside the player's control as well. There is frustration fro the player, but everyone has his safety as the number one priority. If he had his way, he would be out there straight away, but we have to make sure all our players are safe."