Siya Kolisi injury update: Big blow for the Springboks

Wednesday, 09 July 2025 at 08:27

byRugby Rucker

Siya Kolisi injury update. The Springbok skipper will
not feature in this weekend’s clash against Italy in Gqeberha, as he continues to recover from a stiff neck and a nagging Achilles issue.

Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Kolisi has missed the opening three Tests of South Africa’s 2025 season, and fans hoping to see him return for his much-anticipated "home Test" in the Eastern Cape will be left disappointed.

Speaking at Tuesday’s team announcement, Rassie Erasmus revealed the call was a tough one—but ultimately about the long game.

Siya Kolisi injury update:

“He’s from Port Elizabeth, we would have loved to play him here,” Rassie said. “But you weigh up the positives and negatives of rushing him back. He wants to play, we all do—it’s home—but the smart call is to give him one more week.”

With 14 matches on the Springbok calendar this year, the Boks are managing player workloads carefully. Erasmus added:

“If Siya can get through 10 games, that’s a win. No one’s expected to play them all.”

After Saturday’s second Test against Italy, the Boks head to Bloemfontein to take on Georgia on 19 July—likely Kolisi’s next target for a return.

For now, the wait continues.

World Rugby has banned FOUR countries from playing at the Rugby World Cup

While most rugby-playing nations dream of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup, a few have found themselves shut out of the sport’s grandest stage entirely.

From political sanctions to passport scandals, here are three countries that have been banned from competing in the Rugby World Cup — and why.

?? #1. South Africa — Banned from 1987 & 1991 Rugby World Cups

At the height of apartheid, South Africa was a global pariah — and rugby was no exception.

Due to its institutionalised system of racial segregation, the Springboks were barred from all international competition by the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby). As a result, they missed both the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup and the 1991 edition.

However, following the dismantling of apartheid laws and democratic reforms in the early 1990s, South Africa was readmitted to international rugby in 1992. Just three years later, the nation famously hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, led by captain François Pienaar and inspired by a unifying handshake from then-president Nelson Mandela.

? That victory remains one of the most iconic moments in sports history — a symbol of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.

?? #2. Spain — Disqualified from 2019 & 2023 Rugby World Cups

Spain’s road to the Rugby World Cup has been plagued by eligibility controversies.

First, in 2019, Spain, Belgium and Romania were all sanctioned for fielding ineligible players during the qualification campaign — a debacle that ended up handing Russia an unexpected ticket to Japan.

Then in 2022, Spain qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France for what would’ve been their first appearance in 24 years — only for the dream to be shattered again. This time, it was discovered that Spain had allegedly used a player with a forged passport during qualifying.

As a result, they were docked 10 points, booted out of the tournament, and replaced by Romania, who had finished just behind them.

❌ Despite appeals, World Rugby upheld the ban, marking the second time Spain had been removed from World Cup contention due to player eligibility issues.

?? #3. Russia — Banned from 2023 Rugby World Cup onwards

Russia’s exclusion from the 2023 Rugby World Cup came not from player conduct but from geopolitics.

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, triggering widespread international condemnation. As part of a wider sporting backlash, World Rugby suspended both Russia and Belarus from all international and cross-border rugby competitions.

Despite an appeal from the Russian Rugby Federation, the suspension remained in place, effectively ending any hope of qualification for the 2023 tournament in France.

? The ban also brought an end to speculation that Russia could one day host a Rugby World Cup — an idea that had been floated after their 2019 appearance in Japan.