Kolisi back for Springboks as they pick squad to face Argentina

New Zealand’s rugby team received a warm welcome in Cape Town as they began their tour of South Africa, marking their return to the region after three decades. The All Blacks, led by interim skipper Codie Taylor, kicked off their preparations with an open training session attended by thousands of fans, a nostalgic nod to the era when many South Africans supported New Zealand over the Springboks during the apartheid years. The team is set to play three test matches against South Africa, including a crucial encounter against the Springboks in Johannesburg, with additional warm-up games against provincial teams such as the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, and Lions. The All Blacks' schedule includes a match against the Stormers in Cape Town on August 8, followed by their first test in Johannesburg two weeks later. Coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the demanding nature of the itinerary, noting that the team must manage its resources carefully given the overlapping demands of training and matches. “It's a pretty tight schedule and you've got times where one group's playing and the other group's training on the same day,” Rennie explained. He emphasized the importance of embracing the challenge posed by playing in South Africa, highlighting the strong support the team receives from local fans. Captain Ardie Savea is currently sidelined for the initial phase of the tour following a long season of activity. Rennie stated that Savea, who has been engaged in top-level rugby since January 2025, requires a break to recover. Savea will remain in South Africa for 10 days prior to the first test but will not feature against the Bulls. In his absence, Taylor takes charge, reflecting on past experiences playing in South Africa under the Super Rugby format. Taylor expressed disappointment at missing the Super Rugby fixtures, which he described as a highlight of his career due to the intense competition against South African clubs. Taylor noted that the rugby in South Africa is distinct from what is played in New Zealand, characterized by its physicality and strategic depth. He praised the quality of the opposition, particularly the strength of the set pieces and the speed of the backs. Despite the challenges, Taylor believes the current schedule offers valuable preparation ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Meanwhile, South Africa’s national team, the Springboks, has announced their squad for the upcoming test against Argentina. Captain Siya Kolisi, who has been absent due to injury, is set to return for the warm-up match in Buenos Aires on August 8. His inclusion comes amid speculation about his future in the team, as several players have emerged as potential successors. Kolisi joins a list of injured players returning to action, including Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Morne van den Berg. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus highlighted the careful selection process behind the squad, balancing the need to give players rest with the opportunity to gain competitive experience. He noted that those recovering from injuries have trained extensively and are prepared for the challenge against Argentina. This approach aims to ensure readiness for the upcoming series against New Zealand, which follows shortly after the match against Argentina.