THE availability of Springbok Siya Kolisi for the first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against New Zealand this weekend will be much clearer on Tuesday morning, according to coach Rassie Erasmus.
Kolisi was subbed off as early as the 24th minute earlier this month, while playing against Argentina, with a hamstring niggle, putting his participation in Saturday’s opening Test against the All Blacks (kick-off 5pm) in doubt. Erasmus, however, revealed that the Boks will have a better understanding of the severity of his injury after Monday’s training session, and will make an assessment on his readiness after that.
“The only two who are doubtful,” Erasmus said on Monday, from their base in Johannesburg, “are Siya and Ox (Nche).
“I wouldn’t say they are injured. I think it’s just niggles. If they get through Monday, it will be good for us. Apart from that, there is nobody else,” Erasmus said, while adding that utility-forward Franco Mostert is back to full fitness.
The continued absence of Kolisi could well see Paul de Villiers start this weekend at open-side flank with either Pieter-Steph du Toit or Eben Etzebeth taking over the captaincy duties. Nche is less likely to start this weekend — his knee injury sustained a month ago against England was of a more serious nature — but the loosehead berth is well covered through the likes of Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen and the versatile Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Erasmus was refreshingly open about keeping his cards close to his chest, and was therefore less forthcoming regarding the composition of his starting flyhalf this weekend. There is a raging debate about who should start in the No 10 berth at Port Elizabeth between Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Handré Pollard.
The latter two had a testing outing the previous weekend against Argentina. While Feinberg-Mngomezulu started against the Pumas, there was a heavy rustiness to his play. Pollard, meanwhile, only played 10 minutes of that encounter.
The 32-year-old is arguably last in the pecking order, but there can be no argument that his undoubted winning pedigree could be invaluable against New Zealand.
“We are going to pick two for this weekend,” Erasmus said coyly.
“We are pretty sure during the next four weeks, ending in Baltimore — this series is very long against New Zealand — I’m pretty sure all three will play,” he concluded.