Nervous Bok fans are all saying one thing as Siya Kolisi is set to return
South Africa fans were handed the good news today that captain Siya Kolisi will make his first appearance against Wales on Saturday since knee surgery in April.
This will obviously be pleasing for everyone involved in South African rugby given how important the flanker is to the team, not only as a player but as a captain. However, given the events of the last week, this is also a cause for consternation for Bok fans.
While injuries have taken their toll on the South Africa World Cup squad already, this past week has seen a spate of players across the world ruled out of the global showcase next month. There has been plenty of criticism over World Cup warm-ups as a result of this, with most teams still yet to play about two more games.
With this in mind, plenty of Bok fans are nervous about seeing their captain return this week from a long term injury. Jacques Nienaber is no doubt nervous as well, but the reality is that Kolisi needs game time before the World Cup.
Here are some of the comments on X:
“Siya’s inclusion makes me nervous, happy that he’s made a come though. I hope we don’t get any injuries during these warm up games.”
“The injury risk is higher than the reward.”
“Lets hope its touch rugby.”
“More injuries coming up but standard squad.”
“Okay, I’m not sure why I’m nervous about Siya playing. – I don’t that injury of his.”
Kolisi, Hendrikse and Nche feature in the #Springboks match-23 for the first time this year – more here: https://t.co/i23atPSxJC 🥳#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/9zoMeEKafc
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 15, 2023
Springbok team to face Wales in Cardiff:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 86 caps, 65 pts (13T)
14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps, 10 pts (2T)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 61 caps, 60 pts (12T)
12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 72 caps, 50 pts (10T)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 25 caps, 81 pts (12T, 3C, 5P)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 7 caps, 45 pts (1T, 11C, 6P)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 12 caps, 12 pts (2T, 1C)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1T)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 69 caps, 30 pts (6T)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain – Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 75 caps, 45 pts (9T)
5 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 26 caps, 5 pts (1T)
4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 2 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 61 caps, 5 pts (1T)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 61 caps, 75 pts (15T)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 74 caps, 10 pts (T)
Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 60 caps, 60 pts (12T)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 45 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 65 caps, 15 pts (3T)
20 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 pts
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 68 caps, 15 pts (3T)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 4 caps, 0 pts
23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 31 caps, 36 pts 36 (2T, 4C, 4P, 2D)
