Erasmus defends Kolisi after weight comments

Erasmus appointed Kolisi captain in 2018

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has defended captain Siya Kolisi after Racing 92 owner Jacky Lorenzetti made comments about the player's weight.

Lorenzetti criticised Kolisi and Fiji international Josua Tuisova earlier this month, saying the Springbok forward had put on weight and was "invisible" in Racing's Top 14 quarter-final loss to Bordeaux.

However, speaking at a news conference in which Kolisi was confirmed as captain for the upcoming Test series against Ireland, Erasmus defended the two-time World Cup-winning captain.

"Siya will be captain and Siya will play six flank and Siya's fit," said Erasmus.

Kolisi, who became the first black Test captain of South Africa in 2018, moved to Racing last year after leading his country to a second successive World Cup with victory over New Zealand.

He made 18 appearances for Racing during his first year in Paris and is set to return to international action against Ireland for the first time since the World Cup.

The 33-year-old missed South Africa's win over Wales at Twickenham last week because the match fell outside the international window and Racing 92 were not obliged to release players.

Pieter-Stephi du Toit filled in as captain against Wales.

Le Roux and Kolbe fit for opening Test

In addition to confirming Kolisi's retention as captain, Erasmus said full-back Willie le Roux and wing Cheslin Kolbe are both fit to face Ireland in the opening Test in Pretoria on 6 July.

"Willie and Cheslin are clear to play, but we'll have to manage [wings] Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi. Both of them stand a chance of being available for Ireland," said Erasmus, who returned as head coach in February after Jacques Nienaber's departure to Leinster.

"We also have to manage [scrum-half] Faf de Klerk, but [utility back] Canan Moodie will only be available for the second Test."

Erasmus named his 39-man squad for the Ireland series on Tuesday. After the opening Test in Pretoria, the sides meet in Durban on 13 July.

Ireland, whose three straight wins over South Africa includes a 13-8 success in last year's World Cup pool stage, arrived in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"If there's one team that has the upper hand, it’s them," Erasmus said of the Irish.

"We haven’t beaten them since 2016.”