Siya Kolisi: Springbok skipper may recover in time for Rugby World Cup after successful knee surgery
Reports suggest that Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi may well be fit in time for the Rugby World Cup in France after undergoing knee surgery on Friday.
Kolisi was forced off the field in his final home game for the Sharks with a knee injury, throwing his World Cup participation in doubt.
It was reported last week that the inspirational leader had two choices; either opt out of surgery and be sidelined for four months or commit to surgery and be out for nine months, missing the World Cup.
“Likely to be available”
However, Springbok fans will be delighted that a source of IOL confirmed that Kolisi opted for the surgery, but the consensus is that he will recover in time for the global showpiece in France.
“Siya has been consulting specialists all week, and the consensus is that if he has the surgery now he is likely to be available for the World Cup,” an IOL source claimed.
The news comes as a major boost to the Springboks and their fans, who will want nothing more than to have their skipper present for the title defence.
However, even if Kolisi does make it back in time for the World Cup the Springboks will have to select a new captain for their Rugby Championship campaign.
Fly-half Handre Pollard and second-row Eben Etzebeth have emerged as the front-runners to take over the captaincy, with both players having led the side previously.
6⃣ Players who could fill Siya Kolisi’s captaincy void. 🇿🇦
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) April 25, 2023
Fixtures ahead
The Springboks kick off their Rugby Championship with an intriguing fixture against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies on July 8. Following that clash the side travels to New Zealand to face the All Blacks in Auckland a week later before clashing with Los Pumas in the final round.
After the tournament, South Africa travel to Argentina for a warm-up game on August 5 before clashing with Wales at the Principality. Their final warm-up is against the All Blacks at Twickenham in a unique fixture.
The Springboks will begin their World Cup defence against Scotland on September 10 before games against Romania, Ireland and Tonga.
READ MORE: Springboks: Assistant coaches locked in until the 2027 Rugby World Cup
