Kolisi & Nché Doubtful for Springboks vs All Blacks 2026

Two of the Springboks' most important forwards are racing the clock ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park, with captain Siya Kolisi and loosehead prop Ox Nché both listed as doubtful by coach Rassie Erasmus.

Kolisi and Nché Race Against Time

Kolisi's situation is particularly concerning. The skipper came off early against Los Pumas in Buenos Aires two weeks ago after injuring his other hamstring — having only just returned from a separate hamstring issue that ruled him out of the Nations Championship. Nché, meanwhile, has been absent since hurting his knee against England on 4 July and did not make the trip to Argentina at all.

Speaking to reporters during Monday's media engagement ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, Erasmus chose his words carefully. "Siya and Ox, I wouldn't say they're still injured … I think it's niggles. If they get through today it probably might be good for us. Apart from that, there's nobody else," the Bok boss said. That distinction between injury and niggle matters — it signals both men are within touching distance of selection, not ruled out.

Mostert Showing Positive Recovery Signs

There was better news on the lock front. Franco Mostert, who has been sidelined since the season-opening win over the Barbarians on 20 June with an ankle problem, appears to be tracking well. "Sous is really looking well, he's looking good," Erasmus said, naming Mostert as a player who is largely in the clear alongside the rest of a squad Erasmus described as having only two genuinely doubtful members.

The timing is far from ideal. South Africa head into this fixture on the back of a 17-10 win over Argentina last weekend — a result that demonstrated plenty of grit — but the All Blacks arrive at Ellis Park having already put 59 points past the Sharks and 50 past the Bulls on this tour. The Boks cannot afford to be short of their best leadership or their most destructive scrummaging weapon when it matters most. Erasmus has pushed his team announcement to Thursday, so the fitness picture on Kolisi and Nché should be clearer by then.