VIDEO: Nienaber sets the Siya bar at the hour mark
South Africa will continue to ease their most prized asset back to full match fitness – under strict medical supervision.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber resisted the temptation to wrap captain Siya Kolisi in cotton wool.
The World Cup-winning skipper, Kolisi, will again lead the Springboks when they face the All Blacks in their final warm-up match before the start of the World Cup.
The arch-rivals, South Africa and New Zealand, go head-to-head at Twickenham in London on Friday.
The iconic Bok captain made a satisfactory return to the playing field, 119 days after he suffered a knee injury that threatened to end his World Cup dream.
He played the whole of the first half in the 52-16 demolition of Wales in Cardiff last week.
Despite playing only 40 minutes, the 32-year-old, 75-times capped flank did enough – including a try-scoring off-load four minutes into the match – to satisfy even the biggest cynics that he is good to go for the World Cup.
There was no sign of the injury he suffered while playing for the Sharks in a United Rugby Championship match against Munster in Durban back in April.
Coach Jacques Nienaber said they will again take advice from the medical team – who will put a ‘cap’ on the number of minutes Kolisi can play.
“The play must bed regulated,” Nienaber told an online media briefing – after naming the matchday 23 to face New Zealand at Twickenham on Friday.
“He played 40 minutes, under medical advice,” the coach said about the first-half run in Cardiff.
“Hopefully this weekend [Friday] we can put some more minutes into him.
“Maybe take him to 50, 55 or maybe 60 minutes.
“There will also be a cap on that,” he said about the time Kolisi will be allowed to spend on the field.
Kolisi was also satisfied with his return.
“It felt amazing,” Kolisi told a post-match media briefing.
“I didn’t have any fear going into the game.”
(WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber explains how they will continue to ease captain Siya Kolisi back to full match fitness…)
Nienaber said he was ‘very glad’ that Kolisi came through the game unscathed.
“There was a lot of sacrifice from him and his family,” the coach said.
“It required a lot of work behind the scenes by the medical team, performance and conditioning team, as well as the coaches.
“I am glad all the time and effort paid off.”
Nienaber said the additional players – those not in the 33-man World Cup squad, but toured with the Boks – will return to their teams and franchises in the countries where they play.
“They will leave for their teams after the Test against New Zealand.”
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