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South Africa captain Siya Kolisi is in doubt for the Rugby World Cup after injuring his knee in a United Rugby Championship match against Munster.
A South African Rugby Union insider told AFP the 31-year-old World Cup-winning skipper had seen specialists and is set to meet another on Tuesday.
“Should surgery be recommended and Siya agrees, he will almost certainly not be able to play again this year,” the source said.
“The alternate is to let the injury heal and that could take about four months – meaning he would be out of action until September.”
That would rule him out of Rugby Championship matches against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. The tournament has been reduced to a single round this year because of the World Cup.
It would also prevent Kolisi facing Argentina, Wales and New Zealand in warm-up matches before the 20-nation global showpiece kicks off in Paris on September 8.
The Springboks begin their World Cup defence against Scotland in Marseille on September 10 and also face Ireland, Romania and Tonga in Pool B.
South African media reports said the flanker suffered a partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL), forcing him to retire early in the first half in Durban.
It was the last home match in Sharks’ colours for Kolisi, who is scheduled to join French Top 14 club Racing 92 after the World Cup.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard is the Springboks’ vice-captain while centre Lukhanyo Am might also be considered as a replacement for Kolisi.
An Instagram message by Kolisi’s wife asked friends and followers to pray with her family, but she did not mention the knee injury.
“Hey friends! Believing for a miracle. Would really appreciate if you could take a minute out (of) your day to pray with us,” wrote Rachel Kolisi.
Kolisi became the first black captain of the Springboks – a team restricted to white players for decades – when he led the green and gold against England in 2018 and he lifted the World Cup as captain a year later.
In a break away from tradition, Wallabies great Joe Roff is set to replace David Codey as Rugby Australia President.
Hitherto, the Rugby Australia president has come from either New South Wales or Queensland. But Roff, who was born in Victoria and is one of the Brumbies’ greats, is set to become the next president.
The World Cup winner, who has a master’s degree from Oxford and is the CEO of the John James Foundation, will be announced at Rugby Australia’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.
Rugby Australia is also moving towards having a female president to represent the women’s game, too.
It’s understood the governing body will look to appoint its first female president next year.
Joe Roff of the Wallabies celebrates with the crowd during the Rugby World Cup Semi-Final match between Australia and New Zealand at Telstra Stadium November 15, 2003 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Rugby Australia board members Daniel Herbert and Brett Godfrey are set to continue in their roles.
The RA board has spent the best part of two years working towards its private equity proposal, which is now on the market.
The governing body will sell up to 19.5 per cent of its commercial arm in an attempt to power-up the game from all levels.
It’s understood they hope to generate as much as $250 million.
The Fiji Rugby Union has reported a loss of $1.3 million ($A867,000) in its 2022 annual report amidst reports of the Drua’s women’s team going unfed, and unpaid bills at the men’s Super Rugby team’s Aussie base.
The Fiji Union has blamed the loss on the absence of sponsors for programs, losses in domestic competition due to reduced sponsorships, and under-collection from budgeted income.
In 2021, FRU made a profit of $269,554 ($A180,000).
FRU acting chief executive Sale Sorovaki wrote in his report that 2022 posed huge financial challenges for Rugby House.
“While our borders had opened and business started to recover, our sponsors levels did not return to pre-COVID-19 levels and several of our teams did not have major sponsors although we tried our level best to find alternative sponsorship,” he wrote.
“The major programs that remained without sponsors were the Fijiana Drua, the Fijiana XVs for the Rugby World Cup 2021 and tit’s test matches, and the Flying Fijians. Whilst being minded of costs, these teams still had to participate out of contractual obligations with World Rugby. The financial impact of participation was always anticipated.”
The Drua’s women’s team needed food from Brisbane families in the lead up to theri game against the Reds last week, while the Sydney Morning Herald reports the men’s team owes a six-figure sum to their training centre in northern NSW.
Drua chief executive Mark Evans would not comment on the matter when contacted by the Herald.
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie’s big money move to Montpellier could be off after claims he missed his medical due to a drinking session.
It has been reported that head coach Philippe Saint-Andre and the club hierarchy have been considering a response and are intending to pull out of the deal.
There is a possibility that Cowan-Dickie and his representatives could seek to legally challenge any such move by the Top 14 champions.
The Lions ace has been out of action since having ankle surgery in January and there were already fears that his transfer from Exeter might have been in jeopardy.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.