Springbok captain Siya Kolisi could miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after suffering a knee injury during the Cell C Sharks’ clash against Munster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this past weekend.

A member of the South African Rugby Union told AFP on Monday that the 31-year-old captain, who won the World Cup, has seen doctors and will see 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 mean he couldn’t play against Australia, New Zealand, or Argentina in the Rugby Championship. Because of the World Cup, there will only be one round of the tournament this year.

It would also keep Kolisi from playing warm-up games against Argentina, Wales, and New Zealand before the 20-nation global tournament starts in Paris on September 8.

The Springboks start their defence of the World Cup on September 10 in Marseille against Scotland. They will also play Ireland, Romania, and Tonga in Pool B.

South African media said that the flanker partially tore his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL), which forced him to leave the game in Durban early in the first half.

Kolisi played his last home game for the Sharks. After the World Cup, he will join the French Top 14 club Racing 92.

Fly-half The Springboks’ vice-captain is Handre Pollard, and the centre Lukhanyo Am could also be a replacement for Kolisi.

Kolisi’s wife asked friends and followers on Instagram to pray for her family on Monday, but she didn’t say anything about the knee injury.