The Springboks will be carefully monitoring captain Siya Kolisi’s rehabilitation process after the loose forward underwent successful surgery on his knee.

Today, SA Rugby said it would monitor the rehabilitation of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi following surgery on an injury suffered to his right knee in a recent Vodacom United Rugby Championship match.

Kolisi underwent the operation on Friday, and Springbok team doctor Jerome Mampane and his medical team will continue to monitor his recovery and rehabilitation.

The surgery has placed Kolisi in a race against time to prove his fitness for the World Cup, with the Springboks set to announce the 33-man squad that will travel to France in August.

However, while it is hoped that the surgery will give Kolisi the best possible chance of recovering in time, Mampane said it was too early to make any reliable forecasts on when he may be able to return to play.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said: “We wish Siya well during his recovery, and we know that he will do everything possible to return to play as soon as possible.”

Today is World Press Freedom Day.

Irma Green, Group Editor of Caxton Local Media, says the threat to local journalism has become more imminent over the past two years.

“Even on a hyperlocal level we are experiencing an increase of events where our journalists are threatened, intimidated and withheld from reporting on stories in their communities. We do, however, act vigorously on these threats and haven’t shied away to address any of the threats made against us.

“It does have an impact on our journalists and their well-being as many of these threats are directed not only to them but also towards their families.”