Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi has reportedly undergone surgery on his injured knee, which may boost his chances of participation at this year’s World Cup.
According to a report on IOL Sport, a source close to Kolisi confirmed that the operation took place in Cape Town with a view to increasing the likelihood of him leading the world champions in France in September.
“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,” the source was quoted by IOL Sport.
Kolisi’s wife Rachel is also believed to have revealed that the 31-year-old loose forward went under the knife on Friday.
He was set to receive a National Order of Ikhamanga award on Friday, but Rachel was present at the awards ceremony in Durban, where she reportedly confirmed the operation.
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Kolisi is now in a race against time to prove his fitness in order to help South Africa defend the Webb Ellis Cup in less than five months’ time.
The Sharks captain hurt his right knee in the opening 10 minutes of the clash between the Durbanites and Munster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship last week.
He tried to soldier on after spending some time getting it strapped up, but he was quickly substituted and watched from the sidelines as his teammates let a 19-point lead slip in a 22-22 draw at Kings Park.
It has been widely reported that he has suffered an apparent partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) as well as injured his meniscus on both sides of his knee.
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