CAPTAIN KOLISI FIT AGAIN AFTER ISOLATION

SIYA KOLISI has been cleared to captain the Springboks against the Lions after spending 10 days self-isolating with Covid. The World Cup-winning flanker was unable to train with the team after testing positive in Johannesburg, but was declared fit yesterday after specialist medical screening. Jacques Nienaber has selected 17 players who featured in the victorious 2019 World Cup final, with injured No 8 Duane Vermeulen the glaring absentee. Kolisi was one of 14 Springboks to test positive, but hooker Bongi Mbonambi hit back at suggestions that the hosts will be undercooked for the first Test. ‘The people out there saying we’re underdone, all it will do is throw more petrol on the fire that is burning,’ he said. ‘We’ll see what happens on Saturday. The whole team are looking forward to it. We’ll be ready for battle. ‘I was with Siya in isolation,’ Mbonambi added. ‘It was quite tough, as we couldn’t get much physical stuff done. Most of the preparation we did was mental, analysing what their players do. ‘Joining the team on Monday we had to step it up physically to match their intensity. ‘This weekend is a massive game for us. We’ve got a whole week together to get ready.’ Winger Makazole Mapimpi and prop Ox Nche also only returned to training on Monday but have been drafted into the starting line-up. Kwagga Smith takes over from Vermeulen in the pack. The entire World Cup final backline is on show, with Faf de Klerk and Cheslin Kolbe leading the cast list. ‘Intensity-wise, the players always bring it,’ said Mbonambi. ‘We know that we are representing not only the Springbok jersey, but the whole nation. We are pushing each other in training to make sure we’re ready for whatever comes on Saturday.’ SOUTH AFRICA: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Smith. Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Malherbe, De Jager, Elstadt, H Jantjies, E Jantjies, Willemse.