Sport Kolbe back in contention for World Cup final - Erasmus

Rugby World Cup 2019: Springboks' Kolbe ruled out of semi-final against Wales

Springbok Cheslin Kolbe will sit out the Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales with an ankle injury and has been replaced by Sbu Nkosi.Livewire wing Kolbe tweaked the ankle injury that kept him out of the pool match against Canada when he returned to the team for the last-eight victory over Japan.

Rassie Erasmus is likely to make one change for Saturday’s World Cup final against England in Yokohama with the wing Cheslin Kolbe fit again.

Cheslin Kolbe could feature for the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup final . Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Hollywoodbets. Rassie Erasmus can do with Kolbe 's heroics against England. He indicated that the final will be a similarly tight affair, despite England’s unexpectedly comprehensive destruction

© Reuters/MATTHEW CHILDS Rugby World Cup 2019 - Quarter Final - Japan v South Africa Winger Cheslin Kolbe is likely to be back in the South Africa matchday squad for their Rugby World Cup final against England in Yokohama on Saturday, coach Rassie Erasmus said on Tuesday.

Kolbe, an important attacking weapon for the Springboks, missed their pool match against Canada with an ankle problem and had to leave the field in the latter stages of the quarter-final against Japan before sitting out the semi-final.

He was replaced by Sbu Nkosi for the semi-final against Wales but Erasmus said the 26-year-old was available for selection and almost certain to be in the 23 to face England.

Rugby World Cup 2019: Rassie Erasmus confirms departure from Springboks after England final

The Rugby World Cup final will be Rassie Erasmus' last match as coach of South Africa, the Springboks boss has confirmed.The Springboks - who are hunting their third world title - face Eddie Jones' side in Yokohama on Saturday, after respective semi-final victories over Wales and New Zealand.

Cheslin Kolbe missed the semi- final win over Wales but is fit for Saturday's final . Rassie Erasmus says he will pick a similar team, but adds Kolbe to his Rassie Erasmus confirmed that hot-stepping Springbok Cheslin Kolbe will be fit for the World Cup final - as he admitted South Africa can be boring.

Kolbe sustained the knock in South Africa's quarter- final victory against hosts Japan in Tokyo, and was forced to sit out the Springboks' South Africa face England in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama. It'd be a major boost to Rassie Erasmus ' team, with Kolbe 's explosive pace from out

"We are lucky enough to have all 31 players available and ready to train," Erasmus said. "Our team selection won't be too far off from what it has been over the last two games.

"It will probably be exactly the same 23 with Cheslin Kolbe coming back into that 23."

"We believe that is the best way we can get the best out of our team.

"It's a bit of horses for courses (selection) but also we think it is our most in-form, fit, best combination available."

The Springboks have faced some criticism for their direct style of play, which has been dominated by their forwards smashing into contact and tactical kicking by scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and flyhalf Handre Pollard.

Erasmus, however, said the short turnaround between their 19-16 semi-final victory over Wales on Sunday and the final with England would limit tactical changes.

England face daunting task in World Cup final against Springboks

England face the daunting task of trying to match or even improve upon their stunning win over New Zealand when they face South Africa in the World Cup final. Eddie Jones's men will head into Saturday's showpiece in Yokohama as favourites after a superb 19-7 semi-final win ended the All Blacks' bid for a third successive world title.

South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus said his team would not be taken by surprise by England in the Rugby World Cup final after his side beat Wales 19-16 in the semi- finals .

Summary Wales aim to reach first World Cup final - would face England Josh Adams goes over in corner as Wales fight back in second half South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe has been one the stars of the World Cup but an ankle problem

"I have got 160 minutes to train and a six day turnaround, there is not a lot we can change in that," Erasmus said.

"If we had a seven or eight day turnaround we probably could change a few things but there are not a hell of a lot of tactics you can change in six days."

While South Africa have a far more expansive game plan in their back pocket - as evidenced in matches against New Zealand over the last two years under Erasmus - the coach said he was not "bluffing" in his public comments about the team.

"If you understand where we have been coming from, being sixth, seventh, eighth in the world, we have got certain challenges and one was just to redeem ourselves and become a power again.

"By doing that, you have to have some building blocks in place. We have followed a certain route and play according to the stats and the way the game is being refereed currently and what it gives you is short term good results on the scoreboard.

"We certainly accept that there are some things in our game that we need to improve and we take that on the chin.

"But we have put ourselves in a position to win the World Cup ... which is where we want to be."