Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will miss Saturday’s opening Test against New Zealand in Johannesburg as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. Kolisi trained with the squad this week, but coach Rassie Erasmus opted not to risk him. Paul de Villiers will instead make his first Test start against the All Blacks.
Siya Kolisi Misses All Blacks Test Through Injury
“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 (de Villiers),” Erasmus said. The coach said South Africa will play four Tests against New Zealand and that De Villiers has been performing well. Erasmus said the decision was a precautionary approach to Kolisi’s return.
“We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks, and Paul has been playing well,” he said.
Springboks Name Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu At Fly-Half
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been selected at fly-half after returning from an ankle injury in South Africa’s recent victory over Argentina. He starts ahead of Manie Libbok, who has been named among the replacements. Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a Springbok record 37 points against Argentina last year.
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Damian de Allende will also reach a significant milestone by becoming the 10th Springbok to win 100 Test caps. “He is a great team man, and servant to the game, so we hope we can make it a memorable day for him,” Erasmus said.
Springboks Starting XV For First New Zealand Test
Grant Williams has been selected at scrum-half ahead of Cobus Reinach, while Wilco Louw gets the nod at tighthead prop over Thomas du Toit. Cameron Hanekom, who impressed in the 17-10 victory over Argentina, is not included in the matchday 23. The Springboks face New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday.
South Africa (15-1): Damian Willemse; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Grant Williams; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt), Paul de Villiers; Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth; Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche.
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Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.
Coach: Rassie Erasmus.
