Rassie Erasmus claps back: ‘Siya Kolisi is NOT fat’

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has hit back at Lorenzetti following the latter’s unflattering assessment of Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s two-time World Cup-winning captain.

‘INVISIBLE’ KOLISI ACCUSED OF BEING OUT OF SHAPE

After leading the Springboks to a second successive World Cup title in Paris last October, Kolisi made a permanent move to the same city a month later after signing for Parisian club Racing 92. 

As the marquee signing, his arrival came with a lot of hype and hope and of course the weight of expectation. 

But with the season now over for Racing, it’s safe to say Kolisi’s first season was a failure and a visibly frustration Lorenzetti has publicly admitted as much following the team’s trophyless campaign.

Kolisi was recently on the receiving end of the club owner’s ire, with Lorenzetti accusing the Springbok skipper of gaining weight and focusing on his “celebrity lifestyle”, instead of making a tangible impact on the field for the French club.

“He gained weight, lost shape and [on Sunday] he was invisible,” Lorenzetti added. “In the back row, we used to have an ever-present warrior, Wenceslas Lauret. At the moment, Siya is not [Lauret]. 

RASSIE ERASMUS DEFENDS SIYA AMIDST FITNESS DEBATE

During a Springbok press conference in Pretoria on Wednesday afternoon, Erasmus confirmed that Kolisi will be leading the team against Ireland, while hitting back at Lorenzetti’s ill-timed criticism.

“Yeah, no, Siya will be captain and Siya will play No 6 flank,” Erasmus said.

“Siya’s fit and got no injury and Siya’s not fat and Siya’s not transparent,” the Bok coach added, with a smile.

WATCH RASSIE ERASMUS DEFENCE OF SIYA KOLISI:

Kolisi last week admitted he was ‘out of shape’.

“The food is amazing here, that’s why I gained too much weight when I got here,” Kolisi said.

“I gained five kilograms and then I remember getting to the gym and one of the physios said: ‘You look like ****’.

“It’s why I had to cut down on the food,” Kolisi concluded.