“It’s Just a Stiff Neck” : Springboks Reveal Siya Kolisi’s Injury Isn’t Serious

• The Springboks captain, Siya Kolisi, was withdrawn from the Barbarians clash due to a niggle, prompting a last-minute change in leadership
• Jesse Kriel stepped in as captain and guided South Africa to a commanding 54-7 victory over the Barbarians at DHL Stadium
• Springbok management decided not to risk Kolisi, emphasising player welfare and building squad leadership depth

The Springboks management has given an update on the nature of Siya Kolisi's 'niggle' injury, which led to his withdrawal from the squad that played against the Barbarians over the weekend.

On Friday, coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that Jesse Kriel would take the place of Kolisi as captain of the side for the fixture against the invitational team, with Marco van Staden being another addition to the starting XV.

Erasmus had described the injury as a 'niggle' but the Springboks assistant coach Mzawandile Stick has given more details.

Stick stated that Kolisi was struggling with a stiff neck but reaffirmed that he doesn’t believe it to be anything serious.

“As a team, we try to give players the best opportunity to be 100% on Saturday. For Siya, it’s just a stiff neck. I don’t think there’s a need for us to take a risk."

Jesse Kriel named captain for Barbarians clash

In the absence of Kolisi, Jesse Kriel was elevated to lead the Boks as they demolished the Barbarians 54-7 at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town to lift the Qatar Airways Cup. Kriel was excited to take up the role and shared what leading the Boks meant to him.

"I don’t think it’s a major thing, it’s just a stiff neck, and we don’t want to take a risk. But I am excited to see Jesse’s leadership skills."

Kriel expressed excitement for the role of leading the Springboks.

Leadership depth key to Springboks’ strategy

Stick acknowledged that the squad had an array of strong leaders, even in the absence of Kolisi.

They’re all leaders in their ways and they take ownership of what they need to do in the team that in itself over the years has helped me to develop. I’ve been surrounded by really strong leaders in Siya, Eben, Handre, and I can go on, so I’ve been very fortunate to watch their example and learn from them.

'Kriel's career has been on the rise since 2014

Stick said that Kriel had the leadership qualities to spearhead the team in the match on Saturday.

He rose through the ranks from the 2014 Junior World Championship straight into the Bull's 2014 Super Rugby squad but, for probably the first time in his career, faced something of a roadblock as he did not play a single game in the entire campaign.

He received his first call-up for the Springboks in 2019 and has gone on to wear 67 test caps and participated in three Rugby World Cups.

Erasmus reflects on nearly overlooking Mapimpi

Briefly News previously reported that Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus almost overlooked Makazole Mapimpi’s potential early in his career due to initial mistakes, including consecutive knock-ons in 2018.

Source: Briefly News