Out of the Boks and into coach's box for Kolisi

DEL ESTERO South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will have a new role in the coach's box during their Rugby Championship Test in Argentina on Sept 21, having been left out of the match-day 23 for the potentially decisive clash in Santiago del Estero.

- 

The double World Cup-winning skipper was taken to Argentina as a back-up in the squad, should any of the other flankers be unavailable to play and will be given a taste of what it is like to sit alongside coach Rassie Erasmus.

It is part of the latter's plan to help senior players understand how and why decisions are made during matches and is something South Africa have done before, notably with former No. 8 Duane Vermeulen under coach Jacques Nienaber during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"Siya was not brought (to Argentina) to play, but to be on standby if someone gets injured and also to help lead the team off the field," Erasmus said on Sept 17.