When Siya Kolisi suffered a knee injury in the opening round of the Rugby Championship, there was initially real concern that he wouldn’t be able to feature in the Springboks’ back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks in September.
However, in what came as a major boost to the Springboks, his injury was not as bad as first feared, with the World Cup-winning captain having been cleared to join the team on tour to New Zealand.
Yet it still remains to be seen if Kolisi will be available to play in the first Test against the All Blacks this Saturday, and it may also be part of the reason why Rassie Erasmus has opted to only announce the matchday team later in the week.
As it is, the latest comments from Erasmus suggest it’s likely that the Springboks will err on the of caution, and rather not risk Kolisi this Saturday.
“Siya is touch and go this week,” Erasmus commented. “It is one of those decision that need to be made with a longer term view in mind.
“He’ll definitely be available next week. Currently he is bracketed to play (this Saturday), and we’ll make the call later in the week, but he’ll be 100 percent to play next weekend.
“Bringing him back too soon could bugger up six to seven weeks later in the year, so although the heart says he must play, the head says we must wait and watch until Thursday.”
Jesse Kriel will lead the Springboks if Kolisi is unavailable
South Africa and New Zealand will meet at the iconic Eden Park at 09:05 (SA time) on Saturday in the third round of the r Rugby Championship, and Erasmus was open about the fact that the match would be crucial in both teams’ hopes of clinching the title.
“Facing New Zealand away from home is always a challenge, and playing at Eden Park will make both teams equally desperate,” said Erasmus.
“There’s no doubt the players will throw everything out there on Saturday. There is a massive rivalry between the sides, and the history between us is tremendous.”
Erasmus added: “Playing against New Zealand in their backyard, and knowing that according to the world rankings, we are currently the top two teams in the world, is special, and we don’t need more motivation than that.
“It’s going to be a nervy week for both teams.”
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