Erasmus defends Kolisi after weight comments

South Africa caput coach Rassie Erasmus has defended skipper Siya Kolisi aft Racing 92 proprietor Jacky Lorenzetti made comments astir nan player's weight.

Lorenzetti criticised Kolisi and Fiji world Josua Tuisova earlier this month, saying nan Springbok guardant had put connected weight and was "invisible" successful Racing's Top 14 quarter-final nonaccomplishment to Bordeaux.

However, speaking astatine a news convention successful which Kolisi was confirmed arsenic skipper for nan upcoming Test bid against Ireland, Erasmus defended nan two-time World Cup-winning captain.

"Siya will beryllium skipper and Siya will play six flank and Siya's fit," said Erasmus.

Kolisi, who became nan first achromatic Test skipper of South Africa successful 2018, moved to Racing past twelvemonth aft starring his state to a 2nd successive World Cup pinch triumph complete New Zealand.

He made 18 appearances for Racing during his first twelvemonth successful Paris and is group to return to world action against Ireland for nan first clip since nan World Cup.

The 33-year-old missed South Africa's triumph complete Wales astatine Twickenham past week because nan lucifer fell extracurricular nan world model and Racing 92 were not obliged to merchandise players.

Pieter-Stephi du Toit filled successful arsenic skipper against Wales.

In summation to confirming Kolisi's retention arsenic captain, Erasmus said full-back Willie le Roux and helping Cheslin Kolbe are some fresh to look Ireland successful nan opening Test successful Pretoria connected 6 July.

"Willie and Cheslin are clear to play, but we'll person to negociate [wings] Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi. Both of them guidelines a chance of being disposable for Ireland," said Erasmus, who returned arsenic caput coach successful February aft Jacques Nienaber's departure to Leinster.

"We besides person to negociate [scrum-half] Faf de Klerk, but [utility back] Canan Moodie will only beryllium disposable for nan 2nd Test."

Erasmus named his 39-man squad for nan Ireland bid connected Tuesday. After nan opening Test successful Pretoria, nan sides meet successful Durban connected 13 July.

Ireland, whose 3 consecutive wins complete South Africa includes a 13-8 occurrence successful past year's World Cup excavation stage, arrived successful Johannesburg connected Wednesday.

"If there's 1 squad that has nan precocious hand, it’s them," Erasmus said of nan Irish.

"We haven’t beaten them since 2016.”