JOHANNESBURG: The heavyweight fight between former All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams and veteran South African boxer Francois Botha has been rescheduled for February after Williams underwent surgery on a chest muscle injury.

South African promoter World Sport Promotions said on Wednesday an exact date would be worked out after it meets with Australian broadcaster Fox Sports. The fight is due to take place in Australia.

“We wish Williams a speedy recovery and hope that he is able to return to training soon,” said Thinus Strydom of WSP.

Williams, the New Zealand heavyweight champion and a dual rugby league and union international, was due to fight Botha in Brisbane on Nov. 24. Williams tweeted from Australia on Wednesday that the operation on the pectoral muscle he tore playing for his rugby club in Japan this weekend was a success.

Williams has a 5-0 record with three knockouts but the bout with Botha, 44, will likely be his biggest boxing test.