Kolisi to miss Weakened Springboks’ Twickenham Test vs Wales

South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi (32), is among 12 players from the matchday 23 who won the Rugby World Cup last year, who will not be available for the one-off Test against Wales at Twickenham on June 22nd, as announced by SA Rugby on Sunday. This leaves only 11 players from the victorious squad that narrowly defeated New Zealand 12-11 at the Stade de France in October available for selection, with injuries, club commitments, and retirements ruling out the rest.

In a statement, SA Rugby clarified, “Players based in Europe, the UK, and Ireland will not be considered for the Boks’ first Test of the season against Wales at Twickenham.” This rule comes into play because the match falls outside the official international window, thus clubs are not obliged to release players.

Kolisi, after the World Cup triumph, moved to Paris to join Racing 92, who have just qualified for the Top 14 play-offs. The semi-finals of this tournament coincide with the Wales Test, rendering him unavailable for selection. This scenario is indicative of the broader challenge facing the Springboks, as many of their key players are tied up with club commitments in various leagues around the world.

Despite this, head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a squad featuring eight South Africans who are based in Japan, where the season has already concluded. This includes some seasoned veterans and promising new talents. Erasmus, who has been instrumental in South Africa’s World Cup victories in both 2019 and 2023, has called up 18 forwards and 17 backs for a training camp in Pretoria starting on Monday.

Among the notable inclusions are veteran lock Eben Etzebeth, who is a strong candidate to captain the team in Kolisi’s absence, and fly-half Handre Pollard, although Pollard will not be available for the Twickenham Test. Pollard, a crucial player in the 2023 World Cup victory, was initially sidelined from the tournament due to injury but made a significant impact upon his return, not missing a single kick in the knockout stages against France, England, and New Zealand.

Another notable absentee for the Wales Test is No. 8 Jasper Wiese, who is viewed as the successor to retired Duane Vermeulen in the back row. Wiese is currently serving a six-Test ban after being sent off in an English Premiership match. His ban begins with the game against Wales, further depleting the Springboks’ resources.

With Pollard and Wiese out of the picture, the fly-half role will see competition between Manie Libbok and the uncapped duo of Siya Masuku and Jordan Hendrikse. Hendrikse and Masuku are part of a group of 11 uncapped players included in the squad, indicating Erasmus’s intent to blood new talent ahead of the next World Cup cycle. Another uncapped player is hooker Andre-Hugo Venter, son of Springbok legend Andre Venter.

Erasmus emphasized the importance of integrating new players into the team, stating, “We gained immense value by granting a few players a chance to prove what they can do at the international level in the years leading up to the 2023 World Cup. Some of the players who made their Test debuts were members of the squad that lifted the trophy in Paris, and we feel it is important that we continue blooding new players.”

He added, “Having them in camp and working closely with them on the field will set them and the team in good stead as we start laying the foundations for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”

Following the Test against Wales, South Africa’s schedule includes hosting Ireland, the only team to beat them at the 2023 World Cup, and Portugal in July. This will be followed by six Rugby Championship matches against Australia, arch-rivals New Zealand, and Argentina in August and September. The Springboks will then embark on a November tour of Europe, facing Scotland, England, and Wales.

The inclusion of uncapped players and the absence of key figures like Kolisi and Pollard for the Twickenham Test underscores the transitional phase that the Springboks are undergoing as they start preparations for the next World Cup. The squad selected for the training camp reflects a blend of experienced hands and fresh talent, aimed at maintaining the high standards set by the team in recent years.

Erasmus’s approach seems to be a balance between giving opportunities to new players and maintaining a competitive edge in the short term. The match against Wales, therefore, serves not only as a preparatory fixture but also as a platform to test and integrate emerging talents into the Springbok setup.

This transitional period is crucial for South Africa, as they aim to build a team capable of defending their title in the 2027 World Cup. The challenges posed by player availability due to club commitments and injuries are significant, but they also provide an opportunity to develop depth and resilience within the squad.

The Springboks’ extensive schedule over the next few months will be a rigorous test of their squad depth and strategic planning. The outcomes of these fixtures, particularly the two home Tests against Ireland, will provide valuable insights into the team’s progression and areas needing attention.

As the Springboks prepare to face Wales, the absence of Kolisi and other key players is undoubtedly a setback. However, it also opens the door for new leaders to emerge and for the next generation of Springbok talent to step up on the international stage.