South Africa have been dealt a nightmare double setback with skipper\u00a0Siya Kolisi\u00a0and fellow back-row powerhouse\u00a0Pieter-Steph du Toit\u00a0both ruled out of this weekend\u2019s Rugby Championship showdown against Australia.<\/p>\n
The world champions are still licking their wounds after their opening-round collapse in Johannesburg, where they astonishingly let slip a\u00a022-0 lead\u00a0as the Wallabies roared back with\u00a038 unanswered points\u00a0to stun Ellis Park.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n Kolisi limped off just before half-time with a knee problem, while Du Toit was forced off later after failing a head injury assessment. The Springboks\u2019 talismanic captain is now staring at\u00a0three to four weeks out, while Du Toit must complete a\u00a0mandatory 12-day stand-down period.<\/p>\n The crisis doesn\u2019t end there. Head coach\u00a0Rassie Erasmus\u00a0is already without wings\u00a0Kurt-Lee Arendse\u00a0and\u00a0Edwill van der Merwe, who will also miss the clash in Cape Town.<\/p>\n There is at least some light at the end of the tunnel with\u00a0Cheslin Kolbe\u00a0fit again and set to slot into the back three, while centre\u00a0Damian de Allende\u00a0is also back in the mix.<\/p>\n But Erasmus faces a serious rethink of his back row, especially after being outmuscled on the deck by Joe Schmidt\u2019s men at Ellis Park.<\/p>\n \u201cThey gave us shots there,\u201d Erasmus admitted. \u201cSiya hurt his knee about five minutes from half time and shortly after that Marco [van Staden\u2019s] mouthguard pinged which meant he needed to be assessed. Then Kwagga had to come on, then Pieter[-Steph du Toit] had to go off concussed. [The Wallabies] were really good at the breakdown \u2013 and legally so. They really had our number there.\u201d<\/p>\n To make matters worse, No.8\u00a0Jasper Wiese\u00a0remains suspended, leaving the Springboks\u2019 back-row depth stretched to breaking point.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n 2027 Rugby World Cup draw: England to play Hong Kong<\/p>\n The tournament\u2019s structure and timing now better reflect current global rankings, thanks to a late pool draw in December this year made possible by reforms in 2022.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a breakdown of the\u00a0predicted groups\u00a0and\u00a0team bios\u00a0for the RWC 2027:<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc6\u00a0Group A<\/p>\n New Zealand\u00a0\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddff Argentina\u00a0\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7 Samoa\u00a0\ud83c\uddfc\ud83c\uddf8 Tonga\u00a0\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf4 \ud83c\udf0d\u00a0Group B<\/p>\n Ireland\u00a0\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea Scotland\u00a0\ud83c\udff4 Japan\u00a0\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 Chile\u00a0\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf1 CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
The legendary All Blacks need no introduction\u2014three-time world champions with a relentless pursuit of perfection and a legacy of innovation.<\/p>\n
Los Pumas continue to rise as a Tier 1 nation, combining flair and fearlessness. Semifinalists in 2007 and 2015, they\u2019re known for big-game upsets.<\/p>\n
With deep roots in rugby tradition, Samoa\u2019s raw physicality and natural flair make them one of the most dangerous Tier 2 teams in the game.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Ikale Tahi\u2019 bring bone-crunching tackles and island pride. With several stars playing abroad, Tonga is always capable of springing a surprise.<\/p>\n
The current Six Nations champions and long-time world number one, Ireland seek to finally break their quarterfinal curse with a golden generation.<\/p>\n
A Six Nations stalwart, Scotland blends tactical kicking and dynamic playmakers, looking to go beyond the quarterfinals for the first time since 1991.<\/p>\n
The Brave Blossoms became global darlings in 2019 with a stunning quarterfinal run. Expect lightning-quick rucks and passionate homegrown talent.<\/p>\n
One of the emerging forces from South America, Chile made its first RWC appearance in 2023. Physical, proud, and improving fast.<\/p>\n