More big names join Siya Kolisi on injury list
INJURY UPDATE: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is one of four players ruled out of the second Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town this weekend.
Kolisi is out for four weeks with a knee injury he sustained in the first Test at Ellis Park the past weekend.
The Springbok skipper left the field in the 45th minute. He was one of the try-scorers for South Africa.
It is doubtful if Kolisi will recover in time for the big clash against the All Blacks in Round Three of the Rugby Championship at Eden Park on September 6.
Rassie Erasmus revealed that Jesse Kriel will take over the captaincy on Saturday against the Wallabies.
Meanwhile, Kolisi is not the only big name that will be out of action.
Erasmus confirmed that superstar loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit (concussion) will also miss the Wallaby clash.
The backline also took a hit with Kurt-Lee Arendse out with a knee injury, while Edwill van der Merwe is on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
The good news for the Boks is that Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe are available for selection..
On Kolisi, Erasmus said: “It’s a Grade Two knee. Some guys recover in four weeks, and some in six weeks.
“You saw how Siya recovered before the last World Cup [in 2023]. But it is not a World Cup year.
“It’s big to play at Eden Park, but Eden Park is nothing if you lose at Ellis Park.
“Ïf you lose at Ellis Park and again in Cape Town, then it’s not worth chasing a dream at Eden Park if you can’t get it right at home.
“Siya is 34, and if you bring him back too early and chase the game, then he could be out for the rest of the year.”
Erasmus added: “I think Kurt-Lee and Edwill will be out for three weeks.
“Pieter-Steph will be ready [for the Eden Park Test] and Jasper will return for the second game [in Wellington] after his suspension.”
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