After the shocking loss at Ellis Park, Springboks suffered a huge setback and will now have to face the Wallabies in the second test at Cape Town Stadium without their talismanic skipper, Siya Kolisi. However, the absence of their heartbeat does not mean the side has lost its pulse. Instead, Rassie Erasmus’s men are sharpening their teeth for a character exam that could define their Rugby Championship campaign.
However, the absence of their inspirational captain's heartbeat does not mean the Boks have lost their pulse. Instead, coach Rassie Erasmus’s men are sharpening their teeth for a character exam that could define their Rugby Championship campaign.
Kolisi, who limped off in the first half of Saturday’s 38-22 stumble against Australia at Ellis Park, has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a knee injury — sidelining him not just for this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies at DHL Stadium, but also the heavyweight duel against the All Blacks at Eden Park on 6 September.
Erasmus delivered the update with the calm of a surgeon, listing his wounded soldiers.
Siya’s out with a knee, Pieter-Steph [du Toit] concussion, Kurt-Lee [Arendse] knee, Edwill [van der Merwe] ankle. Siya could miss three to four weeks.
The leadership reins now pass to Jesse Kriel; the dependable centre whose consistency and composure make him a natural caretaker. And with Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe cleared for duty, there’s a sense that balance is returning to the Bok backline.
Erasmus admitted the loose trio puzzle has been reshuffled but refused to sound defeatist.
They gave us shots there. Siya hurt his knee about five minutes from half time and shortly after that Marco [van Staden’s] mouthguard pinged which meant he needed to be assessed. Then Kwagga had to come on, then Pieta [Pieter-Steph du Toit] had to go off concussed. [The Wallabies] were really good at the breakdown, and legally so. They really had our number there.
But the Boks, bruised yet unbowed, are determined to rediscover their strengths.
I felt we were on the wrong side of the balance, but we hope to go back to our strengths. Our downfall was going 22 points up and then losing momentum from there. It’s very hard to win a Test match when you don’t have momentum.
Momentum may have slipped away at Ellis Park, but in Cape Town the Boks have a chance to wrestle it back. To aid that cause, Erasmus has recalled Makazole Mapimpi, the wing whose name is etched in Bok folklore. With 47 Tests and two Rugby World Cup medals in his locker, Mapimpi brings not just speed out wide, but a steadying presence to a squad in need of reassurance.
He joined the side in Cape Town on Monday night, ready to lace up and, if called upon, remind the rugby world that the Boks are never truly out of the fight.
Erasmus admitted the Wallaby-thrashing was a wake-up call. The Boks are with their backs against the wall and will be highly motivated to set the record straight in the shadow of Table Mountain on Saturday.
