Springboks team v All Blacks: Rassie Erasmus makes shock captaincy call despite Siya Kolisi’s return as rookie is backed for Eden Park showdown
Springboks forward Siya Kolisi and an inset of head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus has named an experienced Springboks team to tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday in the Rugby Championship.
It will be the first time since 2013 that South Africa will face New Zealand at their fortress, a venue that they have remained unbeaten at in their last 50 Test matches.
Erasmus has also made some shock selection calls for the encounter despite sticking to the tried and tested.
Springboks changes
Eben Etzebeth returns to the Springboks starting XV after featuring off the bench in Cape Town and joins Ruan Nortje in the engine room. The experienced second-rower will earn his 136th Test cap for the Boks on Saturday.
Staying in the pack and Siya Kolisi returns from a niggle in what will mark his second Test at number eight, but interestingly does not captain the side from the position. He is joined by Marco van Staden, who starts at number six with Pieter-Steph du Toit returning on the other side of the scrum.
The front-row remains unchanged with Ox Nche at loosehead, Malcolm Marx at hooker and Thomas du Toit at tighthead prop.
The only change in the backline is at full-back, where Willie le Roux will start his 101st Test after being forced to withdraw from the last clash against the Wallabies due to a niggle. Cheslin Kolbe and Canan Moodie are once again the starting wingers.
Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende will extend their record of playing the most Tests together in the midfield to 39, with the former captaining South Africa for the third time after taking charge of the team against Italy in July and Australia in their last Rugby Championship match in Cape Town.
The starting half-backs remain unchanged, as Grant Williams and Handre Pollard continue at nine and 10, respectively.
Springboks’ record at Eden Park as Rassie Erasmus’ men look to end 88-year hoodoo
Erasmus made three personnel changes to the bench, which features five forwards and three backs.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels takes over from Marnus van der Merwe at hooker and provides front-row cover with Boan Venter and Wilco Louw. Lood de Jager retains his position on the bench with RG Snyman and Franco Mostert both missing out.
Kwagga Smith returns to the bench to complete the forward cover, while Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ethan Hooker are the backline replacements. Hooker is set to earn just his second cap for the Boks after debuting against Georgia in July.
Kriel over Kolisi as captain
Commenting on the decision to hand the captaincy to Kriel rather than regular skipper Kolisi, Erasmus said: “Siya was touch and go for the match earlier in the week after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago, and we didn’t want to risk him unnecessarily, but with Jean-Luc du Preez having picked up a niggle at training this week, Siya was the obvious choice to slot in at No 8.
“At that stage, Jesse had already been told he would be the captain, and it was only fair for us to keep things that way. He’s a great leader and one of the core players in our team. His communication with the referee and his teammates is good, and he leads by example in the way he plays, so he deserves this opportunity.
“It will also be a big occasion for him to captain the team against the All Blacks for the first time, so we are proud of Jesse, and we know he’ll carry this responsibility with great pride.”
The Boks head coach also reserved praise for All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea who will be playing in his 100th Test – a milestone that Erasmus says will no doubt fuel New Zealand’s motivation.
“Playing 100 Tests is one of the most special milestones a player can achieve, and we’d like to congratulate Ardie for reaching this feat,” said the Bok coach.
“He’s been a true servant to New Zealand rugby, and he deserves all the recognition that comes with that. It also doesn’t get more special than playing at their fortress in such a massive game.”
With the Test holding vast significance as the Springboks attempt to register their fifth victory in a row against the All Blacks and break their hoodoo at Eden Park – where they last won in 1937 – while the Freedom Cup is also on the line, Erasmus admitted that this match was momentous for both teams.
“The history and rivalry between the sides speaks for itself, and with all the permutations attached to this match, it makes it particularly noteworthy, so we are expecting it to be a proper grind,” said Erasmus.
“There are records on the line for both teams, and there’s no doubt that this game will be important in trying to win the competition, especially given how close the standings are at this stage. It’s definitely going to be a special match, and both teams will give everything they out there.”
The total Test caps in the Springbok starting line-up is 939 – the fourth highest combined total in SA rugby history. There are 434 caps in the backline, with 505 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 206 caps.
Springboks team to face New Zealand at Eden Park
Springboks: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Date: Saturday, September 6
Kick-off: 19:05 (NZL), 7:05 (GMT), 9:05 (RSA), 4:05 (ARG), 17:05 (AUS)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
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