Rassie Erasmus says Ireland have the ‘upper hand’ as he retains faith in Siya Kolisi as captain

There had been widespread expectation that the Springbok supremo would replace his two-time world champion skipper due to his move to Racing 92, but he has decided to stick with him.

Kolisi came in for heavy criticism from his club’s owner at the end of a disappointing first season under Stuart Lancaster in Paris.

Jacky Lorenzetti said Kolisi was carrying “excessive weight, losing shape” and being “transparent” in their Top 14 playoff semi-final loss against Bordeaux.

Erasmus rejected those comments.

“Yeah, no, Siya will be captain and Siya will play No 6 flank,” Erasmus said.

“Siya’s fit and got no injury and Siya’s not fat and Siya’s not transparent.”

The series between Ireland and the Springboks has been built up by Erasmus’s players, with Eben Etzebeth, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe all emphasising the world champions’ desire to get one over Andy Farrell’s men.

Today’s Sports News in 90 Seconds – 26th June

While the Ireland camp has stayed out of the fray, Simon Zebo did weigh in by saying that Erasmus “hates” Ireland and those comments were put to the former Munster coach at a press briefing in Pretoria today.

“If there is one team that has had the upper hand against us, it’s Ireland. I don’t want to make us the underdogs, but the stats are there, we haven’t beaten them since 2016,” Erasmus said.

“Simon Zebo messaged me, people who know him would know he’s a joker and every chance he gets, he makes a joke or a little crack here and there.

“He immediately messaged me and said listen ‘that came out totally wrong, they totally didn’t understand what I was trying to say.

“So he apologised and asked if he must he go back on air and rectify it and I said no man let’s spice it up let’s keep it that way.”