Rassie Erasmus makes ‘wise’ decision on Siya Kolisi’s involvement against Italy
Rassie Erasmus believes the Springboks are making a ‘wise’ decision not to select Siya Kolisi in the team to tackle Italy in Gqeberha.
The Springboks captain has yet to play for the double World Cup champions this year after being withdrawn from the matchday 23 against the Barbarians.
Siya Kolisi rested for another week
Kolisi subsequently missed the opening Test match against Italy in Pretoria with Erasmus confirming that he was carrying a niggling neck injury with an achilles strain.
Erasmus added that he would be available for selection for the clash this week, but his name was absent in a much-changed matchday 23.
“He is from Port Elizabeth, so we would have loved to play him here,” Erasmus said after naming his team.
“But we just weighed up the positives and negatives of playing him a week early.
“I guess he could have played last weekend, but we have 14 games this year and if he can play 10 then that will be awesome. But we are not expecting the guys to all of them.”
Marco van Staden will now start his third straight game for the Boks this year and is joined in the back-row with Jasper Wiese and a returning Pieter-Steph du Toit.
On the bench, Evan Roos has been included to cover flank and number eight, with Cobus Wiese set to make his debut and offer an option on the blindside and lock.
Right call
With sufficient cover in the loose forwards, Erasmus believes that it was not worth risking his skipper even if the fixture is at his home ground.
So we have the luxury of resting him for another week,” Erasmus added.
He wants to play in this game. Makazole Mapimpi wants to play in this game, I want to be involved here because we’re from here, but it is a tough one, but I think it’s a wise decision to give him another week.”
Despite his extended layoff, Erasmus maintains that it is not a major concern.
“It’s really not a serious injury, but you know, achilles, if you can have another week’s rest, it can only be better for you,” he said.
Hopefully, next week he will be back.”
While the Boks skipper has not returned from injury, South Africa have been boosted by the return of 2024 World Rugby Player Pieter-Steph du Toit and scrum-half Grant Williams, who missed the latter stages of the Sharks’ season.
