Cheslin Kolbe is fit and ready for the World Cup final.
“We are in the privileged position that all 31 players are fit and will practice today,” Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said at Tuesday’s Tokyo Bay news conference.
Kolbe missed the semi-final against Wales due to an ankle injury and there was a concern that he would not play against England in Yokohama on Saturday.
In Kolbe’s absence, S’bu Nkosi was the right-wing against the Red Dragons.
Nkosi did a good job, but Kolbe just fit better in the Boks’ game plan.
He has more experience in the defense system and has a larger X-factor than Nkosi.
Kolbe is also a better aerial player as he showed in South Africa’s first group match against the All Blacks in Yokohama.
Erasmus hinted before the semi-final that he let Kolbe rest as a precaution against Wales as he wanted him ready for the final.
“We’re not going to change a lot about the team that played against Wales,” Erasmus said.
“We are going to keep it very much the same as against Wales.
“Cheslin may be the only change to the 23-man. We’re not going to change much before the test as we only have 180 minutes of practice time before the finals. ”
