ReutersMay 26, 2023, 07:29 AM2 Minute Learn
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi sustained a knee harm whereas enjoying for the Sharks and is in a health race forward of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.David Rogers/Getty Photographs
South Africa are assured captain Siya Kolisi might be match for the World Cup after present process knee surgical procedure final month and can give him as a lot time as doable to be prepared even when he misses the opening video games.
Kolisi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament harm enjoying for the Sharks in opposition to Munster within the United Rugby Championship final month, however in keeping with South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber is “hitting his markers” when it comes to his restoration.
He stated Kolisi was on monitor to be match for the Phrase Cup, which kicks off in France in September and the place South Africa might be defending the trophy that Kolisi lifted in Japan 4 years in the past.
“You’ll recall that Siya was injured again then as properly and didn’t play via many of the build-up to the match. He did not lead the group after we received the Rugby Championship that yr, and from reminiscence he solely performed off the bench in our remaining warmup Check in Pretoria earlier than our departure after which he performed within the recreation we performed in opposition to Japan in Japan two weeks earlier than the beginning of the match,” Nienaber informed a press convention on Thursday.
“We have been via this earlier than and we all know that Siya can play at a World Cup and do a great job of main the group as that was what occurred in 2019.”
South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus stated he hoped that Kolisi may even be prepared for one of many warm-up assessments in opposition to Argentina, Wales and New Zealand.
Kolisi might be given proper up till the match to show his health due to his very important position with the facet. “He is our captain,” stated Erasmus. “It is as a result of he’s captain that we’re doing this. Even when he misses the primary recreation in opposition to Scotland,” stated Erasmus.
South Africa will proceed preparations for France with a camp in Pretoria subsequent week and can title a squad of between 32 and 35 gamers after Saturday’s URC remaining between Stormers and Munster in Cape City.
This might be adopted a fortnight later by a remaining squad for this yr’s Rugby Championship, the place the Boks tackle Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
South Africa open the defence of their World Cup in opposition to Scotland on September 10 in Marseille.