Rassie Erasmus will be without the services of a hard-hitting loose forward for the Springboks’ end-of-year tour starting in November.
Jean-Luc du Preez has undergone knee surgery following the injury he picked up in the lead-up to the 6 September Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
The 30-year-old was set to start in that blockbuster Test, but injured his knee during training.
According to reports, he’ll only return to the playing field in mid-January and won’t be considered for the five Tests against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.
Du Preez has had torrid luck so far this season. Just two weeks before the Eden Park Test, he was ruled out of the second Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town on the morning of the game due to illness
That would’ve been his first Test start in seven years after he’d worn the No 8 jersey in the non-cap match against the Barbarians.
The injury has also meant that Du Preez is unable to make his debut for his new club Bordeaux.
Kolisi has captained the Springboks in 66 Tests and boasts a winning percentage of 71.2%. Gary Teichmann – who played 42 Tests for South Africa – boasts a similar win percentage and says Kolisi’s record on and off the field, speaks volumes.
“Siya’s off-the-field contributions have solidified his legacy. He’s shown that there’s always a way. He’s a humble but strong leader that ensures he makes a difference in the lives of many. What a captain!”
The eight Springbok centurions are Percy Montgomery, Smit, Victor Matfield, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, Eben Etzebeth and Willie le Roux.
