Boks provide big update on Cheslin Kolbe

NEWS: The Springboks have issued another statement on Cheslin Kolbe.

The double World Cup-winning wing has rejoined his teammates in Pretoria and will do his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Bok medical staff with an eye on possibly being available for selection for the opening Test of the Ireland series.

The Bok speedster suffered a knee niggle during the Japanese club season, and after consultation with the Bok medical team on Sunday, he was released on Monday to seek a specialist opinion.

Kolbe returned to camp on Wednesday to follow a rehabilitation programme.

Earlier this week, the Springboks brought in Bulls loose forward Celimpilo Gumede when Kolbe was originally released from the squad.

The matchday squad for the opening Test of the season, against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, June 22, will be announced on Tuesday.

This Test will be followed by the July series which features back-to-back Tests against Ireland (ranked second in the world) in Pretoria and Durban (on July 6 and 13), and a historic first Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein on July 20.

The Springboks will then turn their attention to the Rugby Championship where they will line up against Australia in Brisbane and Perth (on August 10 and 17) before facing arch-rivals New Zealand on consecutive weekends in South Africa – in Johannesburg on August 31 and Cape Town on September 7.

They will then make a short trip to Argentina where they will face the Pumas in Santiago (on September 21) and then in Nelspruit on September 28.

This will be followed by the traditional year-end tour featuring Tests against Scotland in Edinburgh (November 10), England in London (November 16) and Wales in Cardiff (November 23).