‘Nkosi a worthy replacement’
RATED: ERASMUS THINKS HIGHLY OF EXCITING NKOSI
‘Boks have found rhythm and are ready for the challenge’.
Though he admits the loss of Cheslin Kolbe is a setback, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus insists the star wing’s absence will not be a train-smash in their World Cup semifinal against Wales in Tokyo on Sunday.
Kolbe was omitted from the Bok team announced yesterday, due to the ankle injury he initially picked up against Italy in the pool stages and which he aggravated in the 26-3 quarterfinal win over Japan last week.
Erasmus, however, backed 23-year-old S’bu Nkosi to fill the winger’s boots this weekend.
“It’s disappointing not to have Cheslin available as he has been brilliant for us since we first called him up last year,” Erasmus said.
“But we really rate S’bu and he will slot straight in. I am as excited to see what he can do as I would be if ‘Chessie’ were playing, and S’bu has been very close to selection as it is.”
This was the only change made to the Boks’ match-23, with Erasmus again opting for a six-two replacement bench.
It was confirmed that hooker Bongi Mbonambi had recovered from the hamstring injury which saw him being replaced before half-time in their last eight clash, with Malcolm Marx again starting from the bench.
Prop Beast Mtawarira, who was lucky to escape with no further sanction after his yellow card for a lifting tackle against Japan last week, was again preferred at loosehead ahead of Steven Kitshoff, with Vincent Koch turning out as back-up for starting tighthead Frans Malherbe.
The team included 10 players who appeared in the Boks’ quarterfinal victory over Wales at the 2015 World Cup in England, and nine who competed in the 20-18 loss to eventual champions New Zealand four years ago.
“We’ve been fortunate to have been able to be pretty consistent in selection,” Erasmus said.
“We’ve built some nice momentum, but the challenge will be a lot tougher on Sunday.”
While Japan had said last week they would attempt to run the Boks off their feet, the opposition’s approach had been reversed this week, with Wales claiming they were not scared of the big men in the Bok side.
“Wales are the reigning Six Nations champions, as well as Grand Slam winners, and apart from three defeats in their Rugby World Cup warm-ups, they have put together a really good sequence of results.
“But we’ve also found some rhythm and we’ll be ready for the challenge,” said Erasmus.