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Relax Bok fans - Cheslin Kolbe is fine

(Photo by Getty Images)

South Africa reported no major injury concerns following their decisive 49-3 Pool B victory over Italy at the Shizuoka Stadium ECOPA on Friday.

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The team travelled by bullet train to Kobe on Saturday with only wing Cheslin Kolbe not absolutely certain to be available for selection for the final pool match against Canada on Tuesday.

Kolbe twisted his left ankle in the final minutes of the match and was withdrawn as a precaution.

The player was x-rayed following the match – which proved to be clear – and was walking normally on Saturday.

“We have the usual bumps and bruises following a match but otherwise we’re in a good space,” said Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby.

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“Cheslin’s ankle is a little stiff but he could probably play on Tuesday at a push. We’re in the fortunate space of having a full squad to pick from.”

Kolbe scored two tries in the win over Italy – on the way to being awarded the Player of the Match prize – to take his test tally to seven in 12 Tests since making his debut 13 months ago.

Fellow wing Makazole Mapimpi scored his 11th in as many tests – and collected nine stitches in a forehead gash – while there were others for hooker Bongi Mbonambi, centre Lukhanyo Am, replacement hooker Malcolm Marx and a career first for lock RG Snyman.

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The win moved South Africa to the top of Pool B on points difference from Italy, although New Zealand have a game in hand.

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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