Nienaber speaks out about Kolisi rehab
REACTION: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber finally broke his silence on the knee surgery of captain Siyamthanda Kolisi.
Kolisi underwent surgery on his knee in Cape Town this past Friday.
The 31-year-old loose forward suffered the injury in his team’s final-round United Rugby Championship clash against Munster the previous weekend.
The South African Rugby Union issued a statement on Wednesday in which it said it would ‘monitor’ the rehabilitation of the Bok skipper, following the surgery on an injury suffered to his right knee.
National team doctor Jerome Mampane and his medical team will continue to monitor his recovery and rehabilitation.
Mampane said it was too early to make any reliable forecasts on when Kolisi may be able to return to play.
“We wish Siyamthanda well during his recovery and we know that he will do everything possible to return to play soon as possible,” Nienaber said.
In an Instagram post this past Saturday, Kolisi provided an update which was accompanied by a picture of him and his family in hospital.
#UPDATE: Bok captain Siya Kolisi had a message for fans 👇#SouthAfrica #Springboks #RWC2023 https://t.co/3mXbNS6c8k
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) April 29, 2023
“Op went well, the hard work starts now,” said Kolisi.
“Thanks for all the prayers, messages and support.”
The Springboks open the Test season with a Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies in Pretoria on July 8.
They will then face the All Blacks in Auckland on July 15 before finishing their Rugby Championship campaign with a match against Argentina in Johannesburg on July 29.
The Bok start the defence of their World Cup crown against Scotland at Stade de Marseille, On September 10.
That is followed by Pool B matches against Romania (Sunday, September 17, Stade de Bordeaux), Ireland (Saturday, September 23, Stade de France) and Tonga (Sunday, October 1, Stade de Marseille).
