Tokyo (AFP)
Stade Toulousain winger Cheslin Kolbe's tenure after his ankle injury is the only change made Thursday by South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus for the World Cup final against England, Saturday in Yokohama (suburb of Tokyo).
Kolbe (26 years old, 13 sel.) Had been spared for the semifinal against Wales (19-16), Erasmus judging it insufficiently recovered from an ankle injury contracted against Italy in hens (49- 3). He was far from his best level in the quarterfinals against Japan (26-3).
He replaces Sbu Nkosi, the only change on the scoresheet by Erasmus, who has again placed six forwards for two backs on the bench.
"It's hard for Sbu to be out of the match sheet, but like the seven other players (not retained) and the two back home from injury (Trevor Nyakane and Jesse Kriel). during our campaign "said Erasmus.
"I've been training with the rest of the team over the past two weeks, I'm back to 100% of my abilities, my ankle is fine," said Kolbe.
The pocket winger (1.71m for 80kg) expected to be shot by many Englishmen: "Obviously, I love running with the ball, but the game practiced these last two months (at the World Cup) is different, it's more of an aerial battle, "said the winger.
"There will be duels in the air and the fall of the ball, I think the team is ready for that," he added.
The starting XV: W. Le Roux - Kolbe, Am, Allende, Mapimpi - (o) Pollard, (m) De Klerk - PS Du Rocher, Vermeulen, Kolisi (cap) - De Jager, Etzebeth - Malherbe, Mbonambi , Mtawarira
Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, H. Jantjies, F. Steyn
© 2019 AFP