South African Rugby on Saturday denied reports it was going to buy Springboks captain Siya Kolisi out of his contract with French club Racing 92.
On Friday, website RugbyPass claimed the two-time Rugby World Cup-winning skipper wanted to leave the Parisian outfit after just the first year of his three-year deal.
Rugby Pass reported the national governing body would pay a fee for 33-year-old Kolisi’s return home.
“Media are advised that speculation that SA Rugby is involved in the “buy-out” of the club contract of Siya Kolisi is without any basis in fact,” SA Rugby said.
“SA Rugby also wishes to make clear that it is not in any way involved in any conversations relating to such an outcome should they, in fact, be taking place,” it added.
Former Sharks and Stormers forward Kolisi is with the Springboks squad ahead of next Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Brisbane.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the flanker is only set to return to Racing in late September, after the end of the tournament, and so will miss the four opening rounds of the new Top 14 season.
In June, Racing owner Jacky Lorenzetti said the iconic back-rower, named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year, was “invisible” after they lost in the Top 14 play-offs.
Racing begin their new league campaign at Castres on September 7, eyeing a first title since 2016.
Ex-England captain Owen Farrell is their big-name signing ahead of the season.
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Springboks v Wallabies: Predicted line-up as ‘frightening’ pack look to overpower Australia
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has brought the fire to the Rugby Championship this year, as his team seek their first title since 2019.
The back-to-back world champions will once again be led into battle by Siya Kolisi, but he is joined by the likes of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and RG Snyman up front.
In the backline, man of the moment Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is included in the wider squad, and he features alongside the likes of Handre Pollard. Grant Williams, Cheslin Kolbe and Jesse Kriel.
But with such a strong squad at his disposal, who will Erasmus choose for the opening game against the Wallabies? Well, with that thought in mind here is our best bet at a potential starting line-up for the Springboks‘ clash with Australia.
15 Willie le Roux
Returning to the starting side is stalwart Willie le Roux. The experienced full-back started both games against Ireland during the July series, but was withdrawn after just two minutes in Test two with a concussion.
He is such a skilful, silky player who poses a threat ball-in-hand, and it’ll be interesting to see him fully in this new Springboks attack.
14 Cheslin Kolbe
The Springboks are blessed with wingers (scrum-caps optional) but Kolbe is the star name amongst the group.
Kolbe is arguably one of the best attacking threats in the world, and his devasting pace and feet are a real weapon for this Springboks side. He also has a taste for the try-line, and will be looking to add to his haul in Green and Gold this Rugby Championship.
13 Jesse Kriel
Another world beater now in the form of Kriel. The centre is such an explosive, powerful player who gets heavily involved on both sides of the ball.
He also comes into the tournament as one of the form players in this Springboks side following his brilliant showings in the Ireland series, and his team will be looking to him for some more moments of magic.
12 Damian de Allende
Lining up alongside Kriel in midfield should be Damian de Allende.
De Allende’s role has changed slightly since the introduction of Tony Brown, with more of a focus on distribution skills, but when given license to run he is still deadly. He too really gets stuck into the defensive efforts too, which will be crucial if the Boks want to win the title.
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
As mentioned above, South Africa are blessed with star wingers, but the way Kurt-Lee Arendse is playing at the moment there’s no way he would drop out of the squad.
Like Kolbe, he has pace to burn and if given space he can flip the game on its head. His strike record this season for the Boks is also fantastic, notching five tries in 10 appearances so far.
10 Handre Pollard
Despite the form of breakout star Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Pollard should keep the starting shirt for the opening game.
Pollard is a key leader in this Springboks team, and adds a lot of composure and calmness to the side on top of his usual touches.
Brown has already expressed his desire to see Pollard playing more at the line, so it could be worth keeping more of an eye on him to see the changes in his game over the course of the tournament.
9 Grant Williams
Deputising for the absent Faf de Klerk will likely be Williams, who gave a good account of himself off the bench in both Tests against Ireland.
Williams is a player who thrives off quick ball, but importantly is capable of some delicious box-kicks. He hasn’t been afforded many opportunities like this in the Green and Gold, but if he takes his chance he could be the starting nine for some time.
8 Elrigh Louw
A tough call at number eight, but Elrigh Louw makes our starting team.
Kwagga Smith had been the man in the number eight jumper against Ireland, and Evan Roos was also solid in his two games against Wales and Portugal, but Louw is a good lineout operator and would help fix some of the issues they had in this area in July.
The Bulls back-rower was unlucky to miss out on the Ireland Tests in July, but gave a good account of himself against Portugal and this could put him in the frame for a Championship start.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
The imposing flanker will more than likely retain his spot in the starting team after an imperious display in the Ireland Tests.
Du Toit is a brilliant all-round back-rower, but he seemed to flourish in the new-look attack. He was deployed more in the wide channels in the two Tests, and he caused havoc against the likes of James Lowe and Calvin Nash.
His defensive work is also second-to-none, and he will once again play a crucial role in this area of the game.
6 Siya Kolisi
Leading his side out will be the ever-impressive Kolisi,
The Springbok icon has come under fire from Racing 92 President Jacky Lorenzetti recently, but we all know his quality when in the Green and Gold. He is such an industrious player, and never stops working for his team. His leadership is also a huge tick in his box.
5 RG Snyman
Slotting into the second-row in our team is Snyman after his impressive display against Portugal.
The new Leinster signing is such a powerful player on both sides of the ball, and will really get himself stuck into the ugly stuff in the tight to good effect.
4 Eben Etzebeth
The frightening lock should reclaim his spot after two solid showings against Ireland. Etzebeth is such a pest around the breakdown and he puts his body on the line in defence with some huge interventions.
He also adds stability to the set-piece and his connection with Nche in the scrum helps get that side of the set-piece motor down the track.
3 Frans Malherbe
The power of the Boks scrum is a real weapon for them; and whilst Nche gets a lot of the credit, Frans Malherbe plays a huge role in this too. His brute strength makes him a real handful for opposition props to deal with, and when he gets himself set he can steamroller through.
2 Bongi Mbonambi
Will be wanting more of himself this Rugby Championship, you would imagine. The lineout failed to get going in the second Test against Ireland, so Mbonambi will need to fix his throwing to give his side a platform.
That being said though, we know how good he is when he’s on top form, and that will likely just be a blooper for the impressive hooker.
1 Ox Nche
Rounding off our team is the ever-solid Nche.
Arguably the best scrummagers in the world right now, Nche’s strength and attacking nature in the scrum make him such a valuable asset in this Springboks team. He is so dominant in the scrum, and when he gets going it’s really hard to stop him.
The Sharks man also makes plenty of work for himself around the pitch.
