Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is in serious doubt for their Rugby Championship rematch against the All Blacks after suffering a suspected fractured cheekbone during their 31-27 win in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Kolisi sustained the nasty facial injury early into the second half after copping a high shot from All Blacks flanker Sam Cane that went unpunished by referee Andrew Brace.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus says it looks like a fracture to him but he is not a medical doctor.
Erasmus says the doctor will definitely have to look into it.
The injury occurred during a Springboks lineout in the 49th minute, when the All Blacks were leading 22-14.
Kolisi crashed the ball up and was taken around the waist by Codie Taylor before copping a blow to the face from Cane, which knocked him to the ground.
Kolisi could be seen approaching referee Andrew Brace to discuss the tackle after the Springboks were awarded a penalty for a separate infringement shortly after.
He was treated on the field when play stopped for the penalty and played a further 11 minutes before eventually being replaced midway through the second half.
Match referee Brace says if it is clear, then TMO Brian MacNeice will come in.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said the incident wasn’t mentioned by the officials after the game.
Robertson says at the time, all he remembers and all he heard was there was a glancing head clash.
He says they swept it and said there was no foul play at the time and the game officer hasn’t come up with anything.
The All Blacks and Springboks meet again in Cape Town at 3am Sunday.
Source: Stuff.co
