'Too early' to tell if captain Siya Kolisi will be fit for World Cup

South African Rugby says it is ‘too early’ to tell whether captain Siya Kolisi will be fit for the Springboks’ World Cup defence this year after the loose forward underwent ACL surgery

  • The loose forward, 31, suffered a partial tear in the United Rugby Championship
  • SA Rugby and the Sharks had remained tight-lipped about Kolisi’s condition
  • Kolisi’s wife Rachel first confirmed the surgery via social media at the weekend

South African Rugby said it is ‘too early’ to tell if Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will be fit for this year’s Rugby World Cup after he underwent knee surgery last week.

The loose forward suffered a partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligaments playing for the Sharks against Munster in the United Rugby Championship on April 22.

SA Rugby and Kolisi’s club had remained tight-lipped about his condition over the last ten days. 

Kolisi’s wife Rachel first confirmed the surgery via social media at the weekend and he said on Instagram ‘the hard work starts now’.

‘Kolisi underwent the operation on Friday and Springbok team doctor Jerome Mampane and his medical team will continue to monitor his recovery and rehabilitation,’ governing body SA Rugby said in a statement.

It is ‘too early’ to tell if Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will be fit for this year’s Rugby World Cup

The loose forward, 31, suffered a partial tear to his ACL and underwent knee surgery last week

‘Mampane said it was too early to make any reliable forecasts on when Kolisi may be able to return to play.’

Kolisi, one of the most respected figures in the game, is due to move to French club Racing 92 after the World Cup, which runs from September 8 to October 28.

It is now a race against time for the 31-year-old, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan four years ago, to make the squad for the tournament in France.

‘We wish Siya well during his recovery and we know that he will do everything possible to return to play soon as possible,’ said Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber.

South Africa, who name their final 33-man squad on August 8, begin their title defence against Scotland in Marseille on September 10.

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