Erasmus Sits Kolisi and Picks Springboks-All Blacks Series to Go the Distance
Kolisi has been limited by two hamstring injuries and played just 25 minutes in two months, leaving Erasmus confident the series will go long.
- On Saturday, the Springboks host the All Blacks at Ellis Park for the first of four tests, with Coach Rassie Erasmus excluding Captain Siya Kolisi from the starting lineup in favor of Paul de Villiers.
- Hamstring injuries limited Kolisi to 25 minutes of rugby in the last two months. Erasmus chose the 'hot hand' in Villiers, who debuted last month in Kolisi's absence.
- Damian de Allende becomes the 10th man to reach 100 Springbok test caps, while center Jesse Kriel plays his 91st test. Loosehead prop Ox Nchú returns following a seven-week knee injury.
- Coaches Erasmus and Dave Rennie emphasized the series' strategic importance, with Erasmus noting, "You win the first match you have a better chance of winning the series." Both teams prioritize strong starts.
- Only one team has won a series after losing the first test; 1937 Springboks under Philip Nel achieved this feat in New Zealand. The series concludes with a fourth test in Baltimore.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Associated Press News
Erasmus sits Kolisi and picks Springboks-All Blacks series to go the distance
Opposing coaches Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie have understated the importance of winning the first test this weekend for South Africa or New Zealand to ultimately capture their hyped four-match series.
Erasmus adopts precautionary approach for Kolisi's return - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader.
Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, will remain on the sidelines for Saturday’s opening Greatest Rivalry opening test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg. Coach Rassie Erasmus says even though he could have chosen the Bok leader, he decided to take a precautionary approach regarding Kolisi’s return. Pieter Steph Du Toit will captain the side while Paul De Villiers was chosen at flank. Erasmus says the series of four potentially brutal tests also …
Springboks team v All Blacks: Winners and losers as Rassie Erasmus backs 'South Africa's Golden Boy' to shine and star forward misses out
The winners and losers from Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus' matchday squad for Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series Test with the All Blacks in Johannesburg.
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