Siya Kolisi’s potential return sparks No 8 jersey debate for Springboks ahead of Georgia clash

The Springboks are weighing up the option of playing Siya Kolisi at eighthman, should he be fit to face Georgia in the final mid-year Test on Saturday in Nelspruit.

With a ban hanging over the head of Jasper Wiese, who was red-carded for a headbutt against Italy this past weekend, the world champions are a bit thin when it comes to the eighth man position.

Stormers bruiser Evan Roos was the replacement on Saturday, and he is another strong candidate for the jersey, seeing that he hasn’t had many minutes for the Boks this season. Roos made a telling impact when he took to the field and gained some valuable running meters with the ball in hand. He was also solid on defence.

Kolisi missed the last three games due to neck and Achilles niggles, but Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus alluded to playing him against Georgia to give him game time. Should the Bok captain be selected, it will be the only playing minutes he will have ahead of the Rugby Championship. Marco van Staden

“We have a bunch of versatile players in the squad, like Siya who has played primarily for us at six, but have played at No 8 for the Sharks,” Deon Davids, Springbok assistant coach, said on Monday.

“Evan Roos played this weekend, Marco van Staden played in that position. There are different players we can look at who we feel can play there.

"It will depend on the mix of the loose trio and pack. All the players are available for selection and Siya is one of many players who are part of the discussion.”

Davids added that they won’t rest on their laurels against the physical Georgians. The Boks expect a big onslaught from their visitors, despite their loss to provincial side, the Cheetahs, this past weekend.

The Springboks come off a resounding win in Gqeberha and will look to continue with that momentum, despite the prospect of fielding a changed lineup.

“We see every Test as an important game because we want to win it. We never underestimate our opponents and understand Georgia’s DNA.

"They are a team that brings a lot of physicality and leaves everything out there. They were competitive in their last couple of games.

“They have their own goals and are pressing hard to be part of the Six Nations. Them coming here is another step in that direction. We expect a competitive game and want to continue setting our standards and improve looking at the Rugby Championship and the rest of the year.”

The Bok assistant coach added that it is unfortunate that Wiese got himself on the wrong side of the law, but they are a physical team that tries to do things with intent. He added that the team will support Wiese and that they trust the disciplinary process.

“As a team, we work very hard to stay on the right side of the law. That is why we have Jaco Peyper here and we train with him to stay inside the laws. World Rugby have laid out the procedure they will follow, and we trust the decision and process.”