Kolisi cleared to lead South Africa against All Blacks

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will lead a starting team with five changes and two positional switches in their Rugby Championship clash against the New Zealand All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Experienced fullback Willie le Roux and flyhalf Handre Pollard return to the team announced by South African coach Rassie Erasmus on Thursday.

There was speculation that Kolisi would be forced out after suffering a cheek injury in the first clash between the southern hemisphere giants, which South Africa won 31-27 in Johannesburg last Saturday.

There had been no comment on Kolisi’s injury since Erasmus said after the first match that Kolisi might have a fractured cheekbone.

A delay in announcing the team from the usual Tuesday to Thursday added to speculation about Kolisi’s fitness.

Erasmus said in a press release issued by SA Rugby on Thursday that Kolisi added “immense value” to the team.

“Our team policy is that if a player trains on Monday and gets through training during the week pain free, they can be selected for the weekend, and Siya did just that.”

Le Roux’s selection ahead of Aphelele Fassi and Pollard’s return in place of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu brings back two members of the team that beat the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in Paris.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be on the bench.

Wing Kurt-Lee Arendse was ruled out after being concussed last week. Canan Moodie was selected at right wing with Cheslin Kolbe moving from right wing to Arendse’s position at left wing.

Scrum-half Grant Williams, who scored a late winning try off the bench last Saturday, has been promoted to the starting team in place of Cobus Reinach.

Lock Eben Etzebeth returns to the starting team to win his 126th cap – one behind South African record-holder Victor Matfield – with Pieter-Steph du Toit moving from lock to flank in place of Ben-Jason Dixon.

Erasmus opted for five forwards and three backs on the bench, with scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and centre Lukhanyo Am added to the squad.

Erasmus said the Springboks expected the All Blacks to come back strongly after their defeat in Johannesburg. “They’re a formidable team. We saw how they bounced back against Argentina after losing their first match of the tournament.”

Last weekend’s win over New Zealand cemented South Africa’s place at the top of the championship table with three straight victories.

After back-to-back wins in Australia, the Springboks are on course to win the championship for the first time since 2019.

Team (15-1)

Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Handre Pollard, Grant Williams; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Kwagga Smith, Elrigh Louw, Jaden Hendrikse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Lukhanyo Am.

Coach: Rassie Erasmus (RSA)