Erasmus confirms Siya Kolisi is in good shape and will be captain for Ireland tests

Siya will be captain, he will be six flank and has no injury. Siya is not fat and Siya is not transparent'

SKIPPER: Siya Kolisi

SOUTH AFRICA head coach Rassie Erasmus has doused any whispers that that Siya Kolisi might be relieved of the Springbok captaincy for the blockbuster tests in July against Ireland. Erasmus confirmed that that the back row would lead the world champions for the July 6 and 13th matches.

“Siya will be captain [of the Springboks], he will be six flank and Siya has no injury. Siya is not fat and Siya is not transparent,” an irritated Erasmus told journalists.

The speculation was of Erasmus' own making. In March, he indicated a robust debate would ensue regarding Kolisi’s future, arguing that a locally-based player might be preferred for the captaincy instead of Paris-based Kolisi.

More recently, Kolisi has been in the crosshairs of his club president at Racing 92, Jacky Lorenzetti who took aim at the Springbok after their Tp 14 semi final loss last weekend to Bordeaux Begles.

“Kolisi had a remarkable start to the season, where he was a unifier off the field,” Lorenzetti said. “The injury layoff was harmful to him. He gained weight, lost shape and yesterday [against Bordeaux] he was transparent. In the back row, we used to have an ultra-present warrior, a warrior called Wenceslas Lauret. For the moment, Siya is not making us forget Wenceslas. But we think that next year, that will change.”

However Erasmus fully backed his captain, who watched from the stands last Saturday as the Boks comfortably beat Wales while exposing some new faces to Test rugby.

“Willie (le Roux) is cleared,” Erasmus declared from a short list of injury concerns. “Cheslin (Kolbe) is cleared. Edwill (van der Merwe) and Makazole (Mapimpi), we will have to manage this week, but both stand a chance to be available against Ireland.

“Faf (de Klerk) we have to manage this week, and then the only other guy that won’t be available but who is training is Jasper (Wiese).” 

The 39-man squad selected by Erasmus has, nevertheless, elicited some fierce discussion, which Erasmus acknowledged when revealing his thought process behind his picks.

“I can understand that people are upset about Elrigh Louw, Jean-Luc (du Preez), Siya Masuku – there is a lot – Ruben (van Heerden), Wilco Louw … all of these boys.  Hopefully things go well against Ireland, and they can maybe play against Portugal.” 

Canan Moodie, who was not named in the squad earlier this week, should be back from a broken finger and will be considered for the second Ireland Test in Durban on July 13.

Despite the inevitable niggles, the squad has depth with a sprinkling of exciting newcomers such as utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, hooker Johan Grobbelaar, Van der Merwe, and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg.

“I do think our depth is healthy," Erasmus added. "Last year we had one fly half at the World Cup. Now there are five guys that we can put there.”