Rassie Erasmus has a plan to ensure that Siya Kolisi makes it to the next World Cup in 2027, even though it may not be as the Springboks’ run-on captain, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane argues that even though Kolisi will be 37 years old at the next World Cup in Australia, Erasmus will manage the inspirational loose forward’s workload to ensure he plays a role in helping the Springboks to a potential three-peat.
Keohane highlights that Erasmus had no issues with trusting a 38-year-old Schalk Brits at the 2019 World Cup and 37-year-old Deon Fourie in 2023, and successfully managed veteran No 8 Duane Vermeulen to ensure he started against the All Blacks in the final in Paris.
“Kolisi is a national treasure and there doesn’t need to be any sympathy votes for him to make a fourth successive World Cup,” Keohane writes.
“If his body holds up, he makes it as a player. If his body doesn’t withstand the rigours of the next four years, he makes it there as a part of the management. Kolisi’s presence for the Springboks is a tangible. When he is there, the difference is obvious.
“Erasmus and Nienaber managed Vermeulen’s game time at national level between 2021 and 2023. They worked back from a World Cup final, as to how much they felt he had left in his legs and they balanced that with his contribution to the squad off the field.
“Erasmus will do a similar thing with Kolisi over the next two years, and then reassess two years leading into Australia.”
Photo: Tom Jenkins/Getty Images
The post Rassie’s plan for ‘national treasure’ Kolisi appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
