Reds and Wallabies captain James Horwill will miss the rest of this year's Super Rugby season and the new Rugby Championship as he will undergo surgery on his hamstring.

The right hamstring, which Horwill ruptured during last month's Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Brumbies, has not improved to the extent hoped by non surgical rehabilitation methods.

Although surgery is now the action, it is not expected to significantly alter the timeline for Horwill’s return to playing duties.

While there is still some hope that Horwill may recover in time to feature on the Wallabies end of year tour it is more likely that he will not be ready to return until next year's Super Rugby season.