South Africa lose Kolisi and Du Toit for Australia rematch

South Africa faces a major setback ahead of their second Rugby Championship clash with Australia as captain Siya Kolisi and key back row Pieter-Steph du Toit are ruled out due to injury.

Kolisi suffered a knee injury just before halftime in Saturday's defeat to the Wallabies in Johannesburg, where South Africa let slip a 22-point lead and lost 38–22. He will be sidelined for three to four weeks. Du Toit was withdrawn later in the match after failing a head injury assessment and must serve at least a 12-day stand-down period.

The loss compounds a growing injury list for the Springboks, who also must cope without wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe for the upcoming clash in Cape Town.

Coach Rassie Erasmus also welcomed the return of Cheslin Kolbe, likely to fill one of the vacant spots in the back three, and Damian de Allende, who is back in contention for the midfield.

Erasmus acknowledged the challenge ahead: “They gave us shots there…

"Siya hurt his knee about five minutes before halftime. Soon after, Marco’s mouthguard pinged, prompting an assessment, then Kwagga came on, and Pieter had to go off concussed.

"The Wallabies were especially effective at the breakdown—legally so. They really had our number there.”