Double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe 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 Castle Lager Incoming Tour against Ireland.

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 afternoon to follow a rehabilitation programme.

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

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

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

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

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

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Photo by EPA/TERESA SUAREZ