The Springboks are hopeful that Cheslin Kolbe will be fit and available for the World Cup semi-final against Wales on Sunday. Jon Cardinelli in Tokyo reports.

Kolbe has been battling an ankle injury since South Africa’s third pool game against Italy two weeks ago. The star wing featured in the recent quarter-final clash with Japan – which the Boks won 26-3 – but has been unable to train subsequently.

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On Wednesday, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said that Kolbe should bounce back ahead of the do-or-die game against the Red Dragons at Yokohama Stadium.

‘We’ve been managing him and giving him the best possible chance to recover,’ Stick said. ‘Hopefully he will be ready.

‘As things stand, everyone in the squad is still available for selection.’

Should Kolbe fail to recover, head coach Rassie Erasmus is likely to bring wing S’bu Nkosi straight into the starting lineup.

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