The Springboks are sweating on the fitness of both Cheslin Kolbe and Siya Kolisi ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.
Erasmus confirmed on Monday that Kolbe is dealing with a hamstring complaint in addition to an ankle injury — an upgrade on the initial assessment of cramp. Kolbe remains in the amber category and is a medium-to-serious doubt, though Erasmus indicated he does not currently expect to make a change at wing.
Kolisi, who suffered a hamstring strain 20 minutes into the August Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, was bracketed with Paul de Villiers in Monday's squad announcement. The captain had a niggle on Sunday, and Erasmus is waiting on the outcome of Monday's training session before confirming his availability.
Should Kolisi pass fit, De Villiers drops out of the match-day 23. Erasmus was candid about what Kolisi specifically brings: "We just couldn't get them out of the breakdown when we were in good attacking positions and Siya is really good at that." He also pointed to Kolisi's combination with Pieter-Steph du Toit in defensive width — what the coaching staff call "the gates" — as a key area that was lacking at Ellis Park.
De Villiers was among the standouts in the Johannesburg win, but Erasmus noted the flanker has only four matches behind him at this level.
Canan Moodie (hamstring) and Grant Williams (ankle) were not considered for the Cape Town Test.