In a pivotal moment for team dynamics, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, renowned for his leadership and popularity, will elevate his role by debuting in the coaches’ box during the crucial match against Argentina in Santiago del Estero on Saturday, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Although Kolisi, who suffered a broken nose in the recent victory over the All Blacks, will not be playing, his role will focus on gaining insights into the coaching process.
Kolisi’s injury, sustained during the match on 31 August, initially led to expectations of surgery. However, instead of missing out completely, he was included in the touring party with a clear plan from coach Rassie Erasmus.
‘Siya was brought here as cover if someone was injured; he was not scheduled to play,’ Erasmus confirmed. ‘He’s here to help lead the team off the field while we’re also preparing for this important game.’
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Erasmus aims for Kolisi to experience the communication flow between the technical staff and players. ‘We want him to understand how we get to decisions in the coach’s box and how we send messages down to the field,’ he said. Reflecting on Duane Vermeulen’s previous experiences, Erasmus noted, ‘The moment when Duane took up that process, he had a better understanding of how to interpret the information. We hope to get the same with Siya this weekend.’
With Kolisi sidelined, Salmaan Moerat will lead the team, marking his return after a concussion in August. The Springboks made ten changes from the squad that defeated New Zealand, with a mix of seasoned leaders and emerging players, emphasising squad depth in preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
Erasmus highlighted the importance of the upcoming match, stating, ‘It would be amazing to wrap up the Rugby Championship title this weekend, but it won’t be easy.’
The Springboks currently lead with 18 points, while Argentina trails with 10, making this matchup pivotal for both teams.
Kolisi’s injury management will continue as he prepares for next week’s finale against Argentina at Mbombela Stadium. ‘His nose only really has to be reset after two weeks,’ Erasmus explained, indicating that Kolisi can still play in the next match before undergoing the procedure.
Springbok XV:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Manie Libbok
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Picture: Aurelien Meunier / Gallo Images