Springboks Drop Captain Kolisi for First All Blacks Test, De Villiers Starts

South Africa leave out Kolisi

Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at 10, De Allende earns 100th cap in Springboks lineup.

Kolisi benched with hamstring issue as Erasmus names inexperienced XV for All Blacks...

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been left out of the starting XV for Saturday’s first test against New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, with powerhouse prop Ox Nche named to start up front.

Kolisi has been managing a hamstring issue. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the skipper was fit to play, but has opted to go with the inexperienced Paul de Villiers instead.

“Siya trained well with us this week, and although we could have selected him for this clash, we thought it would be best to select Paul for this weekend’s game,” Erasmus said.

“We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks and Paul has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance this weekend in what will be his first Test match against New Zealand, while taking a precautionary approach to Siya’s return.

“We have a solid group of players, and each one of them deserves their places in the squad, so we will approach team selection week by week.”

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets the nod at flyhalf ahead of Manie Libbok and veteran Handre Pollard, both named on the bench. Grant Williams will partner him at scrumhalf to complete the halfback combination.

Damian de Allende will earn his 100th test cap as the 10th Springbok to reach the milestone, starting at inside centre alongside Jesse Kriel. Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe are on the wings, with Damian Willemse at fullback to round out the back three.

Malcolm Marx starts at hooker, joining Ox Nche and Wilco Louw in the front row. Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje pair up in the locks. Paul de Villiers and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will captain the team, start on the flanks, with Jasper Wiese at No. 8.

Saturday’s match kicks off a run of four tests on consecutive Saturdays in the ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series. The teams will then meet again in Cape Town, back in Johannesburg, and finally in Baltimore, USA.

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South Africa have won five of their last six meetings with New Zealand, including a record 43-10 thrashing of the All Blacks the last time they faced off in Wellington.

“Many of the matches between the sides have come down to the wire, so it’s important that we use the chances we create and ensure that our discipline is on point. It’s going to be a big battle, but the entire squad is excited about the match and are looking forward to it,” Erasmus said.

Starting XV

Backs: Damian Willemse at fullback, with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wings. Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende pair up in the centres. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at flyhalf alongside scrumhalf Grant Williams.  

Forwards: Jasper Wiese is at No.8. Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the side from blindside flank, with Paul de Villiers on the openside. The second row is Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje. The front row features Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw.

Replacements

On the bench for the Springboks are Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.