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Cape Town - Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says Siya Kolisi will captain the team at the Rugby World Cup if he is fit.
Kolisi, who returned to action from a knee injury playing for Western Province in the Currie Cup last weekend, was included in the Springbok starting XV for Saturday's Test against Argentina in Pretoria.
However, Kolisi will not lead the Boks, with hooker Schalk Brits handed the captain's armband.
But Erasmus said that Kolisi will lead the Boks at the World Cup unless it's not "medically possible".
"The issue is to get him fit, sharp and at Springbok level. The last thing you want to do is to play someone in the first match against the All Blacks who is not 100% confident, fit and on form."
Erasmus hinted that Kolisi will not play long against the Pumas this weekend.
"I've asked Siya to empty his tank and go as hard for as long as he can. I've told him he might even come off in the first half. He has played less than 50 minutes of Currie Cup rugby in the last 12 weeks but I needed him to have a taste of Test rugby again before we leave for Japan," the Bok mentor added.
Saturday's Test at Loftus Versfeld is scheduled for 17:05.
Teams:
South Africa
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S'bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Schalk Brits (captain), 1 Thomas du Toit
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Frans Steyn
Argentina
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 12 Lucas Mensa, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas
Substitutes: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Gonzalo Bertanou, 22 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 23 Santiago Carreras
