South Africa’s narrow 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday came at a cost, with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi suffering a hamstring injury and André Esterhuizen leaving the field late due to a head injury assessment.
Both players face fitness uncertainty ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Test series opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Kolisi lasted just 24 minutes before limping off with a hamstring injury to his other leg. The 35-year-old had only recently recovered from a hamstring strain in the opposite leg that ruled him out of the entire Nations Championship. He will undergo a scan to determine the extent of the latest setback.
“I hurt my hamstring again, unfortunately,” Kolisi said after the match. “I’ll go for a scan and see how far it is. It’s really tough, but I can’t be sad about it.”
Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus, though, gave a more positive update on the skipper’s wellbeing.
“He injured his hamstring, the other hamstring, but it doesn’t look too bad,” Erasmus said.
Additionally, Erasmus lauded Kolisi’s impact in the short period he was on the field before injury struck.
“I thought Siya was really dynamic with his carries and his clean-outs.”
Esterhuizen departed in the 65th minute for an HIA. Centre, who serves as a hybrid player for the Springboks these days, had only recently returned to action after fracturing his cheekbone against England. No further update was provided on his condition post-match.
