Kolisi set for Springbok return against Argentina after injury lay-off

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will make his first appearance of the international season on Saturday when the Springboks face Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Kolisi missed the opening match of the Nations Championship against England after an injury forced him to withdraw from the team on the morning of the game. After spending time recovering on the sidelines, the 34-year-old is now eager to return to international action in the green and gold jersey.

“I’m very excited. It’s been tough watching from the sideline, but there’s a couple of us getting an opportunity now,” said Kolisi.

“It’s been so good to see the depth in this team, with guys who have taken over and carried on the momentum. So, I’m really excited to get the chance to play again this weekend. It’s a tough place to come and play, but that’s exactly what we need as a group.

“It’s hard to train and not play, or not be involved, so we all just want to add value to the team and play our part. Getting our jerseys this morning was very special.”

Kolisi’s return comes as South Africa prepare for a demanding encounter with Los Pumas, who were beaten by England in their previous match in controversial circumstances.

The Springbok captain said the atmosphere at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires would be a major factor, warning that Argentina’s supporters could influence the game if South Africa failed to establish themselves early.

The match kicks off at 21:00 South Africa time on Saturday.

“The thing about Argentina at home is that if you don’t turn up physically and mentally, you’ll bring their crowd into the game,” Kolisi said.

“But if you turn up with the right intent, you’ll have a better chance of controlling the game.

“We’ve played against them many times, and we’ve had our bad and our good days, but as a team, we fully understand what needs to be done to execute against them away from home. The stands will be vibrating, and it’s going to be a good show, especially for our people back home.”

South Africa have faced Argentina on numerous occasions and Kolisi acknowledged that the Springboks have experienced both victories and difficult performances in the fixture. He believes the team knows what will be required to carry out its plans in front of a passionate home crowd.

The return of the captain also gives Kolisi an opportunity to contribute after watching the team from the sidelines. He praised the squad’s strength in depth, noting that other players had stepped in and maintained the momentum during his absence.

Kolisi had been selected for South Africa’s opening international match but was ruled out shortly before kick-off because of the injury. His comeback will therefore be one of the main talking points when the Springboks take on Los Pumas in Buenos Aires.

The fixture follows debate around refereeing decisions in South African rugby, including contentious calls in a match involving the Stormers. However, the focus for Kolisi and the Springboks is now on responding to Argentina’s physical challenge and dealing with the intense atmosphere expected at home of Los Pumas.