Siya Kolisi fitness test set to decide Paul de Villiers’ Springbok fate

Rassie Erasmus says Paul de Villiers will drop out of the Springboks’ matchday 23 for the second Test in the Greatest Rivalry series if captain Siya Kolisi passes a fitness test on Monday.

Kolisi and De Villiers were both bracketed at number six when Erasmus announced his team on Monday morning, leaving uncertainty over how the final selection would be handled.

However, Erasmus confirmed that De Villiers would not simply move to the bench if Kolisi was cleared to play. Instead, the flanker would come out of the 23 altogether.

“No. Paul moves out of the 23,” Erasmus told reporters.

“Paul played well on Saturday, and there’s no reason why we should keep him out, but Siya is our captain.

“That’s why he’s slashed [bracketed] with Paul, and we also don’t want to train today without a named captain.

“That’s why Pieter-Steph is staying captain, but if Siya gets through, we might make a change there.”

The decision means Kolisi’s fitness will have a direct impact on both the Springboks’ starting line-up and the composition of the replacements.

De Villiers impressed in the opening Test on Saturday, but Erasmus made clear that Kolisi’s status as captain remains the determining factor in the selection process. Pieter-Steph du Toit will continue as captain for training purposes while Kolisi’s availability is assessed.

Erasmus also provided an update on Cheslin Kolbe, who was not included in the side named for the second Test but could still feature in a late change.

Kolbe was substituted at Ellis Park during the first Test. Erasmus said after the match that the player had been suffering from cramp.

“He’s in amber at this stage,” Erasmus said when updating reporters on Kolbe.

“It might be a late change with Cheslin. If he really recovers well, we might make a change there.

“But at this stage, I don’t think it will be.”

The Springboks will therefore continue their preparations with Kolbe’s involvement still uncertain, while Kolisi must first come through Monday’s fitness assessment before Erasmus decides whether to restore him to the team.

Saturday’s second Test will be played at Cape Town Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10.