Boks lose Kolbe ahead of Wales clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Exciting young wing Sibusiso Nkosi has been drafted into the Springbok starting line-up for Sunday’s gripping World Cup semifinal against Wales at the Yokohama International Stadium.
Nkosi replaces the hot-stepping Cheslin Kolbe who has not recovered sufficiently from the ankle injury he suffered against Canada and aggravated in the quarterfinal victory over Japan (26-3) in Tokyo on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Nkosi – who has scored eight tries in his 10 Test appearances – slots into the right wing position as a direct replacement for Kolbe.
"It’s disappointing not to have Cheslin available as he has been brilliant for us since we first called him up last year," said Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby.
"But we really rate Sbu and he will slot straight in. I am as excited to see what he can do as I would be if 'Chessie' were playing. Sbu has been very close to selection as it is.'
Nkosi has made two appearances in the tournament, against Namibia and a try-scoring show against Canada – on the left wing – to follow up try-scoring appearances against Australia and Argentina (two tries) in the two South African home Tests in 2019.
His injury-enforced inclusion is the only change to the 23 that had been entrusted to ensure second place in the pool (against Italy) and to secure a semifinal place (against Japan).
The Springbok 23 includes 10 players who appeared in the World Cup quarterfinal victory over Wales four years ago in England (23-19), and nine who are making a second semifinal appearance after losing to eventual champions, New Zealand, four years ago.
The nine are Tendai Mtawarira, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen, Handré Pollard, Damian de Allende and Willie le Roux. Pieter-Steph du Toit was on the bench in the quarterfinal at Twickenham in 2015.
The winner will play the victor of the England v New Zealand semi-final in Yokohama on Saturday, November 2.
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Francois Louw, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.
Date: Sunday, October 27
Venue: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama City
Kick-off: 18.00 (09.00 GMT; 09.00 UK & Ireland time; 11.00 SA time)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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— Springboks (@Springboks) October 24, 2019