South Africa boosted by return of Siya Kolisi from injury ahead of World Cup defence as flanker to captain Springboks in warm-up against Wales

South Africa put their World Cup rivals on red alert on Tuesday by confirming the return of their iconic leader Siya Kolisi from injury and insisting their current squad has more depth than their class of 2019 that won the William Webb four years ago. Ellis Cup in Japan.

The only problem for the Springboks was that their reports came just minutes before news broke that England captain Owen Farrell had broken out of suspension in shock.

Rugby’s agenda will be dominated for the rest of this week by Farrell and likely the run-up to the World Cup in France, but South Africa’s statement of intent should not be ignored amid the frenzy elsewhere.

Jacques Nienaber’s side are defending champions and have one of their key players fit and available ahead of the global showpiece.

Captain Kolisi went from a relative unknown outside South Africa to one of the few rugby world superstars when he won the 2019 World Cup in the Far East.

He was a doubter for the 2023 tournament after suffering a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee on April 22.

Kolisi immediately underwent surgery and his World Cup race began.

On Saturday, the flanker will make his first appearance since that April day after being named South Africa captain for their warm-up clash with Wales in Cardiff.

Kolisi made a cheerful figure yesterday (TUES) at his team’s hotel in Cardiff Bay, greeted MailSport with a smile and insisted his body felt good as he underwent treatment in the same room where South Africa head coach Nienaber made his return discussed with the media. We will hear more from Kolisi later this week.

“It’s nice to have Siya back and get him playing again,” said Nienaber, after appointing a formidable Springbok side to take on Wales at Principality Stadium.

“He worked hard and he really deserves it. Getting a chance to play is a reward for Siya for the amount of effort and sacrifice he put into getting ready now.

“It’s also nice for the team, because he’s been an integral part of this squad for the past six years. It will be nice to give him some playing experience to make sure he is hardened and sharp as we go into the World Cup.’

When asked if he was always sure that Kolisi would make it to the World Cup, Nienaber replied: ‘In the beginning you are not sure. There may be a setback and you have to back off a little bit until it settles down and then you can push again. I don’t think he’s had one setback. He met all the markings.’

Kolisi’s importance to South Africa is so important that he has been named as their World Cup captain since April. He leads a team brimming with speed and power against Wales.

Asked if his team can make it to back-to-back World Cups, Nienaber’s words should sound like an ominous warning to their soon-to-be rivals, especially considering he’s outplaying 2019 winners Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am and Lood de Jager left his French party due to injury.

“We have a somewhat older selection. They’re not old, but they’re four years older and there’s probably two-thirds of this team that were part of the 2019 World Cup,” Nienaber said.

“I definitely think we have more depth than in 2019.”

Nienaber will leave South Africa for Leinster after the tournament and wants to end his time at the side of the controversial Rassie Erasmus with a second Webb Ellis Cup.

Of the 23 Springbok players playing against Wales on Saturday, 12 were involved in the 2019 final victory over England.

It spells trouble for Wales, who are likely to field a mixed team again.

Warren Gatland’s men did not rule out the chances of forwards Dewi Lake and Taine Plumtree making it to France after suffering knee and shoulder injuries in last weekend’s 19-17 defeat to England at Twickenham.

South Africa believes the current squad has more depth than the 2019 World Cup winners

Wales head coach Gatland will name his last 33-man World Cup side on Monday, so the game in South Africa is his players’ last chance to impress. Gatland will confirm his team on Wednesday morning, with backs Johnny Williams and Alex Cuthbert likely to be named and Jac Morgan a possible return as captain.

Veteran pair Gareth Anscombe and Taulupe Faletau are not fit to get involved as they continue to have thumb and calf problems respectively.

Nienaber described the impressive young flanker Morgan as a ‘praying mantis’ given his excellent demolition ability. A possible battle between Morgan and Kolisi would be one to watch.

“Wales are a brave team – they don’t hold back,” said Nienaber. “We have to be physically ready for the match and be present in every fight from the start. We expect it to be an epic battle.”