Springbok latest news: Cheslin Kolbe out of 1st Georgia Test

Not that it should make any difference whatsoever, but Toulouse-based Springboks Cheslin Kolbe and Rynhardt Elstadt will in all likelihood miss the first of two Springbok Tests against Georgia after their French club reached the Top 14 final.

READ | FAF DE KLERK HAS NOT CUT OFF HIS BLOND LOCKS – HERE’S PROOF!

At an online media briefing on Monday, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber gave an update on the team’s preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against Georgia which will serve as the team’s only warm-ups ahead of the British & Irish Lions series.

Nienaber seemed uncertain, but doing the sums, Kolbe and Elstadt stand little to no chance of being ready for the opening Test against Georgia at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Friday, 2 July.

The French Top 14 final takes place exactly a week prior to that on Friday, 25 June.

READ | LOST IN TRANSLATION? ENGLAND HOOKER CALLED ‘PROSTITUTE’ BY AMERICAN WEBSITE

“Rynhardt and Cheslin are playing in the Top 14 final. I am not sure, but I heard that it might be on Friday night. They will then only be getting their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday, after the final.

“They will probably fly after that, hopefully getting into South Africa either on Monday or Tuesday. We will be playing that Friday, so I think, as I am currently aware, that will leave them very little time to get back into the mix and our way of doing things.

“Personally, I believe it will be a tough ask for them to play against Georgia, the first Test match. I must also stress that there are selectors who will have a say in that. They might also be able to get here earlier, so logistically there might be things that change.

READ | SA RUGBY PLEADS FOR FANS – EVEN 10 000 WILL DO

“This is the last week that we are preparing without playing a Test match. So, from a conditioning perspective, we can put a nice load on the players because we don’t have to taper before a Test.

“The main focus is to get everyone acquainted with our language, our lingo, our strategies, especially those coming in from their clubs, with an added conditioning focus.“

READ | CHESLIN KOLBE SLAMMED IN FRENCH PRESS, SCORES 3/10 FOR LATEST PERFORMANCE

The pair are more optimistically only likely to feature in the second Test against Georgia at Ellis Park on Friday, 9 July.

Neither Kolbe nor Elstadt’s absence should be problem for the Springboks against the 12th-ranked Georgians.

Kolbe’s absence gives the Springbok coaching staff the opportunity to blood one of the three uncapped wings named in the 46-man squad – Aphelele Fassi, Rosko Specman and Yaw Penxe – alongside Makazole Mapimpi on the other wing.

PICTURE | SIYA KOLISI CELEBRATES TURNING 30 WITH A BIRTHDAY CAKE

In addition, the Springboks also have Sbu Nkosi to call upon.

Elstadt isn’t likely to feature in the series against the British & Irish Lions with the inflated Springbok squad having a surplus of loose forwards.

He stands more chance of a bench spot should any of the specialist locks succumb to the various injuries they are currently dealing with.

READ | SPRINGBOKS PICK 22 OVERSEAS-BASED PLAYERS TO FACE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

SPRINGBOK 46-MAN SQUAD:

Forwards (26)

Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Joseph Dweba, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Scarra Ntubeni, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese

Backs (20)

Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies, Sanele Nohamba, Cobus Reinach, Elton Jantjies, Handre Pollard, Morne Steyn, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Wandisile Simelane, Frans Steyn, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Yaw Penxe, Rosko Specman, Damian Willemse 

READ | BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: 16 PLAYERS TO ENJOY THEIR FIRST TOUR OF SA

SPRINGBOKS V BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SCHEDULE:

Saturday, 3 July: Lions v British & Irish Lions (Ellis Park, Johannesburg) – 18:00

Wednesday, 7 July: Sharks v British & Irish Lions (Ellis Park, Johannesburg) – 20:00

Saturday, 10 July: Bulls v British & Irish Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria) – 18:00

Wednesday, 14 July: South Africa ‘A’ v British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) – 20:00

Saturday, 17 July: Stormers v British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) – 18:00

Saturday, 24 July: Springboks v British & Irish Lions (1st Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) – 18:00

Saturday, 31 July: Springboks v British & Irish Lions (2nd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) – 18:00

Saturday 7 August: Springboks v British & Irish Lions (3rd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) – 18:00

READ | JEAN DE VILLIERS PICKS HIS SPRINGBOK CENTRE COMBINATION FOR SERIES