COVID-19 fall-out: Kolisi to miss crucial trip to Bloem
REACTION: World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi will miss Western Province’s crucial trip to Bloemfontein this week.
Kolisi was a late withdrawal from the WP team that scored a bonus-point 34-17 win over Griquas at Newlands at the weekend.
Province coach John Dobson confirmed that Kolisi’s absence was the result of a ‘contact’ situation.
Jaco Coetzee replaced the captain in the starting line-up, with Ernst van Rhyn playing off the bench.
Steven Kitshoff captain the WP the team in Kolisi’s absence.
“[We] found out late last [Friday] night,” Dobson told a virtual media briefing – following the five-tries-to-two win on a sunny day at Newlands.
“He [Kolisi] has to isolate for 10 days, so he won’t be available for next week.”
Despite moving into second place, for at least 24 hours, Province needs a win in Bloemfontein to advance their chances of finishing in the top two and host on of the semifinals.
Dobson said Kolisi’s case would not impact any other players.
“We will go through a normal round of testing on Tuesday,” the coach added.
“I don’t think you need to be a virologist to realise the graph is going the wrong way.
“You can expect, across the country, to have other impacts on the competition.”
Dobson also confirmed that Lock Salmaan Moerat, who missed the Griquas encounter as a result of COVID-19 protocol after being in contact with a positive case, will have served his 10-day isolation and be available for the trip to Bloemfontein.
However, there remains uncertainty over Bok hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni, who was sidelined due to a quad injury this past weekend – which saw Chad Solomon earn his 50th Western Province cap off the replacements bench.
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* To see John Dobson’s response, watch from 13 minutes on the video!
