Kolisi returns for Boks as Erasmus challenges players to earn WCup spot
Carbery injury layoff hands Ireland flyhalf dilemma
PRETORIA, Aug 14, (RTRS): Siya Kolisi will start as flanker for South Africa in their one-off Test against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, eager to prove his fitness ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan next month.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an entirely new selection for the match in Pretoria, the penultimate fixture for the side before they open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Yokohama on Sept 21.
Regular skipper Kolisi, who missed the whole of the Boks’ victorious Rugby Championship campaign with a knee injury, is not expected to play the full 80 minutes and so the side will be captained by veteran hooker Schalk Brits.
“I’ve asked Siya to empty his tank and go as hard for as long as he can,” Erasmus said.
“I’ve told him he might even come off in the first half. He has played less than 50 minutes of Currie Cup rugby in the last 12 weeks but I needed him to have a taste of Test rugby again before we leave for Japan.”
Brits, one of a number of players vying for a place in the Boks’ 31-man World Cup squad that will be announced on Aug 26, will make his first international start in 11 years and at the age of 38 will become the oldest first time captain of the side.
Erasmus has challenged a number of players to push for a place in the squad.
“No matter what has happened before this weekend, the momentum we will go to the World Cup with will depend on what happens on Saturday,” Erasmus said.
“Some of these players will know they are on the plane but for others it is make or break – and even if they don’t make the plane there will be six standby roles to be identified.
“We’ve picked a formidable pack and we saw what the backline did against Australia so I am really excited to see what they can do on Saturday to prove their own case and also show just how strong South African rugby is.”
Uncapped hooker Scarra Ntubeni and prop Wilco Louw will start on the bench, while Cobus Reinach has been given a first Test start since 2014 in the scrumhalf berth.
The Boks beat Argentina 46-13 in Salta last weekend to seal the Rugby Championship title.
Team: 15-Warrick Gelant, 14-Sbu Nkosi, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Andre Esterhuizen, 11-Dillyn Leyds, 10-Elton Jantjies, 9-Cobus Reinach, 8-Marcell Coetzee, 7-Rynhardt Elstadt, 6-Siya Kolisi, 5-Lood de Jager, 4-RG Snyman, 3-Vincent Koch, 2-Schalk Brits (captain), 1-Thomas du Toit
Replacements: 16-Scarra Ntubeni, 17-Lizo Gqoboka, 18-Wilco Louw, 19-Marvin Orie, 20-Marco van Staden, 21-Kwagga Smith, 22-Faf de Klerk, 23-Frans Steyn.
Meanwhile, Ireland flyhalf Joey Carbery has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday’s opening World Cup warm-up, handing coach Joe Schmidt a selection dilemma just over five weeks before the tournament begins.
Carbery’s emergence as Johnny Sexton’s undoubted understudy has typified the depth Ireland has built up since the last World Cup when injuries to key players, including British and Irish Lions outhalf Sexton, derailed their chances.
Munster number 10 Carbery was the best player on the pitch for 50 minutes against Italy on Saturday before leaving in tears after his left leg got trapped under a ruck.
“Joey Carbery will rehab his ankle injury with the national squad and is expected to be available for selection in 4-6 weeks,” the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said in a statement.
Ireland’s other reserve outhalves – Connacht’s Jack Carty and Leinster’s Ross Byrne – have five caps between them, none of them as a starter. Schmidt may therefore opt to bring a half fit Carbery to Japan, hoping he recovers for their later pool games.
Ireland begin their Pool A campaign against Scotland on Sept 22 before facing hosts Japan six days later. Their final two group games are against lowly Russia and Samoa on Oct 3 and Oct 12.