Captain Siya Kolisi has overcome a knee injury to earn selection for South Africa’s World Cup squad which was named on Monday.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi won his fitness battle to lead his country at the Rugby World Cup in Japan on Monday, as coach Rassie Erasmus named the back-row forward in his 31-man squad.
Kolisi had been a doubt since injuring his knee in May, missing the Springboks’ triumphant Rugby Championship campaign. However, he returned to play 53 minutes in their last test, a 24-18 win over Argentina in Pretoria on August 17.
The Boks are among a small handful of teams with a realistic chance of being crowned world champions on November 2 and Kolisi, their first ever black test captain, is seen as an important figure on and off the pitch.
His presence is a major boost to Erasmus, who provided no big surprises in his selection.
“I’m nervous, but also excited because I know who is in my corner,” Kolisi said as the squad was unveiled on Monday.
“I have guys with a lot of leadership skills. We have been working hard the last two years to make sure we gain some respect back, but our work is not done yet.”
Erasmus said he was very happy with the composition of the squad, highlighting its “a good balance of established experience and some exciting youth.
Giant lock Eben Etzebeth made the cut despite an incident outside a bar over the weekend that forced South African Rugby to issue a statement in his support. He has denied any wrongdoing.
He is one of four second-rowers along with Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and RG Snyman.
Pieter-Steph du Toit can also provide cover at lock but has been selected at loose forward, where the more mobile Kwagga Smith got the nod ahead of Rynhardt Elstadt.
There is vast experience at number eight with Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen.
Handre Pollard will orchestrate the backline from flyhalf, one of two out-and-out number 10s along with Elton Jantjies.
The versatile Frans Steyn can also cover that position, and at fullback, but has been selected as an inside centre.
Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies and Cobus Reinach are the three scrumhalves, with three specialist wings in Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi and Cheslin Kolbe. Fullback Warrick Gelant can also play on the wing if needed.
“I am confident that any of this 31 can step into a play-off match at the Rugby World Cup and deliver an outstanding performance,” Erasmus said.
As expected Aphiwe Dyantyi, pleading innocent after testing positive for an unspecified banned substance, was not selected.
The Boks will play a final warm-up match against Japan on September 6 in Kumagaya, before their World Cup opener against defending champions New Zealand in Yokohama on September 21.
The two-time World Cup winners will also play Italy, Namibia and Canada in Pool B.
Forwards (17): Schalk Brits, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Louw, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen
Backs (14): Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach, Elton Jantjies, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Frans Steyn, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Cheslin Kolbe, Warrick Gelant, Willie le Roux.
Ex force fan
Guest
Forwards: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Siya Kolisi (capt) Backs: Herschel Jantjies, Elton Jantjies, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Cheslin Kolbe, Warrick Gelant That is 12. How sad/strange that we still count race after 25 years....
Harry Jones
Expert
One of the du Preez bros for me.
Chris
Guest
Kolisi is twice the player Hooper is.Just look at their backrow options. Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Louw, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen. No wonder we get monstered everytime we play them without Pocock.
sean
Guest
Jaco's not the player he was 3 years ago. He's been pretty good for Gloucester but not nearly as destructive as he was at his peak. Marcell's injury is a blow but Kwagga fully deserves to be next in line.
Flyman
Roar Rookie
So whats your problem? Team is selected on merit or not?
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Kolisi is like a bigger version of Savea, also a bit of zinzan in his skill set.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Well, maybe "required" is the wrong word then? Clearly the authorities in SA is backing Rassie 100 percent.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I did an extremely heart-warming exercise earlier today. Read through all comments on the big Saffa rugby forums/media outlets and even the hardcore conservatives - who usually only talk about how good things were before the nineties - is backing the team and concur that all PoC's are there on merit. If this Boks team win it all, I think it will have a clear positive effect on whole SA society.
Aiden
Guest
Yes, it was political but in the end the absolute correct thing to do given the demographics.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Harry, on the upside, hardly any contender have a settled midfield combo heading into the WC. Weird that it is a problem for almost everyone at the same time (and all teams had four years to settle on a combo).
Both injured. There was also a positive test against Diyanti. But injury and unavailability ruled them out. Rassie did mention Willemse might be in the “on stand by” list.
pm
Roar Rookie
Me too
pm
Roar Rookie
I think this forwad pack is actually a faif bit better than NZ's, and the question is how much better are NZ's backs. Two of the three serious contenders (along with England) for mine are in that pool
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
What happened to Dyantyi and Willemse? I must have missed that story
Ronkedoor
Guest
11 black players, well under the 50% that was required of him by authorities.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Yep, midfield would be my concern. A number of teams will be playing aggressive rush defences which puts a premium on centres that can be both clever and make the right decisions under pressure.
Malo
Guest
Great pack , unsure about the backs. SA OR England to win.
Harry Jones
Expert
Midfield is our problem. Don’t see that many 9-10 pairings better, our finishers out wide (Kolbe, Nkosi) are lethal, and Willie will come right. Problem is DdeA isn’t that clever and Am isn’t that fast.
Harry Jones
Expert
Agree. Kwagga is the only pick I’m not happy with
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
Ah of course BB, I forgot about Kriel! I don’t understand how he was overlooked by Rassie. I agree he should be there in place of Kwagga. I also think Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been so unlucky not to be considered at 12. He’s got much more to offer than DDA and Esterhuizen (than god the latter wasn’t picked for the WC squad)