The Springboks won’t risk regular captain Siya Kolisi for the second mid-year Test against Italy, but there is hope he will be available to face Georgia next weekend.
Although the 34-year-old was available ahead of the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha, a stiff neck and a nagging Achilles injury had prevented him from being selected for the previous two matches.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the double World Cup-winning skipper could come into the selection frame for the Mbombela match, but it will probably be wise to give him another week off ahead of the Rugby Championship in August.
While many would’ve wanted to see him in action in his home province on Saturday when the world champions take on the Azzurri in the second of their two-Test series, Kolisi will only benefit from this extended break.
Erasmus named a much-changed side on Tuesday for the match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10pm start), and with the captain still absent, lock Salmaan Moerat will be leading the team in his place.
“While we have the luxury of resting him for another week, we know he wanted to play in this game because he is from here,” Erasmus explained.
“We weighed up the positives and negatives of playing him a week early. He could’ve played last week, but having 14 games this year, if he can play 10, that would be awesome. We are not expecting guys to play more than 10 (matches) this season.
“The decision to rest him was tough, but I feel the wise decision is to give him a break for another week. It’s really not a serious (injury) one, but you know how an Achilles tendon is, with another week of rest, it can only be better, and hopefully he’ll play next week.”
