Erasmus confirms Kolisi and Kolbe doubts as five Springboks face late fitness tests

Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and winger Cheslin Kolbe remain injury doubts for the Springboks’ second Test against New Zealand in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, with the coach revealing five separate fitness concerns at his Johannesburg press conference on Monday.

Kolisi, who missed the series opener with a hamstring problem, has been named on the team sheet alongside Paul de Villiers — separated by a slash — meaning De Villiers starts but will be replaced if the captain comes through Monday’s training session. Kolbe was left off the squad entirely, with Kurt-Lee Arendse named on the right wing in his place.

“Siya still had a niggle yesterday; we obviously want to get him into the team,” Erasmus said. “But he has to get through today’s training; that’s why he’s slashed with Paul. If he comes through, he’ll replace Paul, and Paul moves out of the team.”

On Kolbe, Erasmus indicated the problem has evolved beyond the initial complaint. “It’s more than just cramps. It’s not even the hamstring anymore; it’s a little bit of an ankle as well. It might be a late change with Cheslin if he really recovers well. But at this stage, I don’t think it will be.”

The coach also confirmed that flanker Ben-Jason Dixon is dealing with concussion symptoms sustained last week, while Canan Moodie has pulled a hamstring and Grant Williams is nursing an ankle injury. Boan Venter and Quan Horn are unavailable after being named in the Lions squad for a midweek fixture.

Pieter-Steph du Toit continues as captain in Kolisi’s absence, a role Erasmus praised warmly. However, the coach was candid about the specific qualities Kolisi brings that proved difficult to replicate in the first Test.

“Siya’s got some strengths, one of which is the attacking breakdown; he’s really good at sorting that out fast, which was an area we struggled with,” Erasmus said. “There were lots of times that we played really badly — not because they did anything illegal — we just couldn’t get them out of the breakdown when we were in really good attacking positions.”

Despite the injury concerns, Erasmus was quick to defend De Villiers, who made his Test debut against the All Blacks in the series opener. “Paul played really good; there’s no reason why we should keep him out,” the coach said. “But Siya is our captain.”

The Springboks will be hoping to have their skipper available as the series intensifies, with Kolisi’s breakdown work and defensive organisation — part of what Erasmus calls “The Gates” system alongside Du Toit — identified as key components of South Africa’s structure.