Springboks suffer injury blows ahead of second Test against Australia
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South Africa's No. 8 Siya Kolisi recieving medical attention during the 38-22 Rugby Championship defeat by Australia at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Aug 16, 2025. The Springbok captain is expected to be out for four weeks.
PHOTO: AFP
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CAPE TOWN – As if the pain of a first loss to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in the Aug 16 Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period.
Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second Test in Cape Town on Aug 23 and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows.
Kolisi is expected to be out for four weeks, which means he will miss the Springboks’ eagerly anticipated clash with New Zealand at Eden Park on Sept 6, where they are seeking a first win since 1937.
Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion and will miss the second game due to return-to-play protocols. Wings Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle) are also out this weekend.
That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe, who is expected to be available. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing the opening loss.
Coach Rassie Erasmus says the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia.
“We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration,” he told reporters on Aug 18. “But at least we know what we did wrong. That’s the most important thing. They totally outplayed us.
“If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way.
“You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities.”
South Africa will name their side on Aug 19 for the second fixture in Cape Town.
Australia’s back-up scrum-half Tate McDermott said their shock triumph over the world champions in Johannesburg will mean little if they do not follow it up with success in Cape Town.
“Obviously it was a really proud moment. It had been 60-odd years since we'd got a result at Ellis Park, so it was a huge occasion,” McDermott told a press conference on Aug 18.
“We’ve been talking a lot about how we’re trending in the right direction and that was another step, but it doesn’t mean much if we don’t back it up this weekend.”
Wallabies lock Will Skelton, meanwhile, warned of a second-Test backlash, saying: “They’re going to try and punch you in the face this week. So we’re going to have to be ready... and really fight until the end.” REUTERS
