Rassie Erasmus has explained his decision to leave Siya Kolisi out against the All Blacks.
The Springboks face New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday in the opening Test.
Kolisi trained successfully this week after recovering from a troublesome hamstring injury.
However, Erasmus opted against selecting his captain for the highly anticipated clash.
Erasmus chooses caution over Kolisi
Erasmus stressed that Kolisi was fit enough to play against New Zealand.
Nevertheless, the Springboks coach believed caution remained the wiser approach.
“Siya trained well with us this week,” Erasmus explained after announcing his team.
He admitted Kolisi could have been selected for the opening Test.
Instead, Erasmus preferred to protect the veteran forward during his return from injury.
The decision also creates another opportunity for Paul de Villiers to impress internationally.
De Villiers enjoyed an outstanding Nations Championship campaign earlier this year.
Therefore, Erasmus believes the young flanker deserves his chance against New Zealand.
“We thought it would be best to select Paul for this weekend’s game,” Erasmus said.
De Villiers earns a huge opportunity
Erasmus also highlighted South Africa’s demanding schedule against the All Blacks.
The teams will meet four times during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Consequently, managing Kolisi’s workload could prove crucial throughout the campaign.
De Villiers, meanwhile, has already shown he can handle Test-level pressure.
“Paul has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance,” Erasmus said.
His selection demonstrates the remarkable depth developing within the Springbok squad.
Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain South Africa in Kolisi’s absence.
Meanwhile, De Villiers starts alongside du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the loose forwards.
The decision could also strengthen South Africa’s preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Erasmus has repeatedly stressed the importance of testing his squad before the tournament.
For now, however, the focus remains firmly on conquering the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
South Africa enters the contest after winning five of their previous six meetings.
The post Rassie Erasmus explains why Siya Kolisi was left out against the All Blacks appeared first on iHarare News.
