“Touch-and-Go”: Rassie Erasmus on Siya Kolisi’s Fitness Ahead of Springboks vs New Zealand
- Rassie Erasmus has provided an update on Siya Kolisi’s fitness, keeping fans and rugby followers eager ahead of the Springboks’ upcoming clash against New Zealand
- The head coach emphasised a careful, long-term approach to player management, weighing recovery and overall season strategy before finalising decisions
- With squad selection still pending, form, fitness, and availability remain crucial factors in determining who will take the field for this important match
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus said on Monday, 1 September, that captain Siya Kolisi may or may not feature in the starting squad for the opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks on Saturday, 6 September.
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Kolisi, who missed the previous clash against the Wallabies in Cape Town, a game the Boks won 30-22, was included in the squad, which was warmly welcomed by fans in New Zealand last Wednesday.
He sustained a calf strain during South Africa’s historic defeat to Australia at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg in August.
In that match, he surprisingly filled the No. 8 position, left vacant since Jasper Wiese’s suspension during the Italy game. Wiese is expected to return for the second fixture against New Zealand on 13 September.
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What did Erasmus say about the team to play?
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Erasmus stressed that Kolisi’s involvement would hinge entirely on his fitness, with a long-term strategy guiding the decision.
“We brought 36 players on tour. Jasper will only be available next week, and Siya is touch-and-go for this week,” Erasmus said.
He added that the team for Saturday’s clash will be announced on Thursday, noting that Kolisi is being closely monitored to avoid rushing his comeback.
“Initially, we anticipated he would be sidelined for six to eight weeks, but the latest scan was far more promising. We’ll make a final decision later in the week, but next week he will be 100%,” Erasmus explained.
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Watch the clip of Erasmus talking in depth about the upcoming clash.
The coach highlighted the importance of managing Kolisi’s recovery cautiously.
“It’s a long season, and we hope Siya can play another year or two for us. Bringing him back one game too early could jeopardise six or seven weeks of the season. It’s an emotional decision, our hearts say play him, but our minds say wait until Thursday.”
Erasmus also revealed that the final squad is unlikely to contain major surprises, as the Boks prefer stability when facing New Zealand. Form, fitness, and availability will be key considerations in finalising the squad to take on the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
Watch the video below as the countdown to the big game starts.
Eben Etzebeth makes history at Ellis Park
Briefly News previously reported that the Springboks veteran Eben Etzebeth made history in August at Ellis Park Stadium in the Rugby Championship clash against Australia.
The Boks, however, endured heartbreak after surrendering a commanding 22-0 lead to suffer a crushing 22-38 defeat.
It was their first loss to Australia at Ellis Park since 1963, and ended a 12-year unbeaten home run against the Wallabies.
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Source: Briefly News
