Springbok captain Siya Kolisi at the squad announcement. Photo: SA Rugby website.
Siya Kolisi to complete remarkable Test comeback
Is the wait for the inspirational Springbok captain’s return to Test action finally over?
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi at the squad announcement. Photo: SA Rugby website.
An assistant has hinted that captain Siya Kolisi is ready to make his long-awaited return for the Springboks in their Rugby World Cup warm-up against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
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The 32-year-old suffered a devastating knee injury earlier this year and it was initially feared that the flanker might miss the Rugby World Cup. But Kolisi got stuck into an extensive rehabilitation programme that has remarkably put him on track to recover in time for a warm-up game ahead of the global showpiece.
But it has now come to light that South Africa’s inspirational skipper is ready to return to the Test fold and is in line for selection in both of the Springboks’ remaining two RWC warm-up games against Wales in Cardiff and the All Blacks in London.
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SPRINGBOKS QUIETLY POSITVE ABOUT A SIYA KOLISI RETURN
On Monday, during an online press briefing from the team’s base in Cardiff, assistant coach Dean Human spoke positively about Kolisi’s potential comeback against Wales this coming weekend.
“Last week, Siya trained with us fully. Naturally, players don’t just come back and play 80 minutes from the get-go,” said Human.
“I think Siya is in a very good place. He is taking contact and he scrummed with us as well. He has given us everything, which we expect. In my department, I am very happy with what I’ve seen. Hopefully, he can put in a good shift, whether that is this weekend or next weekend, because we don’t know when he is going to be let loose.
“I just think that he is one of the dogs you want in the fight, whenever he does get set loose.”
Should Kolisi be named in the matchday squad, which is set to be announced tomorrow, it would mark an incredible recovery, just 113 days after he underwent surgery.
The team announcement for the clash against Wales will take place on Tuesday at 2pm.
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SPRINGBOK CAPTAIN HARD AT WORK
