NEW ZEALAND – Siya Kolisi has been cleared to return to the Springbok lineup for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park, but in a surprise move, coach Rassie Erasmus has decided to keep the captaincy with Jesse Kriel.
The decorated back-rower, who missed South Africa’s 30-22 victory over Australia in Cape Town two weeks ago due to a knee injury, will slot back into the team at No. 8 but won’t reclaim the captain’s armband from experienced center Kriel.
Erasmus revealed that uncertainty over Kolisi’s fitness throughout the week influenced the captaincy decision. “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,” the coach explained on Thursday.
“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.”
Kriel leads by example
Kriel, who will be captaining the Springboks for the third time in a Test match, has earned Erasmus’s confidence through his leadership qualities and consistent performances. “He’s a great leader and one of the core players in our team,” Erasmus said. “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.”
The 34-year-old Kolisi has become an inspirational figure since being named South Africa’s first black captain in 2018. The Port Elizabeth-born leader helped steer his country to World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, joining New Zealand’s Richie McCaw as the only players to lift the Webb Ellis Cup twice as captain.
Tried and tested formula
For what promises to be an epic encounter at the All Blacks’ fortress, Erasmus has largely stuck to his winning formula, making only four changes to the starting XV that defeated Australia. The most significant addition is the return of South Africa’s most experienced player, Eben Etzebeth, who will earn his record-extending 136th Test cap alongside Ruan Nortje in the second row.
In the loose trio, Kolisi returns at No. 8 for what will be his second Test in that position, while Pieter-Steph du Toit returns at flanker. The only backline change sees Willie le Roux reclaiming the fullback jersey for his 101st Test after missing the Australia match due to injury.
“We selected the best possible team we could for the match, knowing that this is going to be an epic encounter against the All Blacks at Eden Park,” said Erasmus. “Many of these players have done the job for us before against them.”
Historic opportunity beckons
The match carries enormous significance as the Springboks attempt to achieve something that has eluded them for 87 years – victory at Eden Park. Their last triumph at the Auckland venue came in 1937, and Saturday presents an opportunity to extend their remarkable winning streak against the All Blacks to five consecutive victories.
“This is obviously going to be a completely different challenge to what we’ve faced against them in the last two years, with the match being hosted in New Zealand, and also at a venue where they hold a fantastic record,” Erasmus acknowledged.
The Freedom Cup is also on the line, with both teams knowing that every point will be crucial in what promises to be an emotionally charged encounter. Adding extra motivation for the hosts, All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea will be playing in his 100th Test.
“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 Erasmus. “It also doesn’t get more special than playing at their fortress in such a massive game.”
Record-breaking squad
The Springbok starting XV boasts a combined 939 Test caps – the fourth-highest total in South African rugby history. The experience is spread throughout the team, with 434 caps in the backline and 505 among the forwards.
Several individual milestones are within reach, with Kolisi’s 95th Test leaving him just five matches short of becoming the ninth Springbok centurion. Meanwhile, the center pairing of Kriel and Damian de Allende will extend their record partnership to 39 Tests together.
“Matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are always intense, and we know neither team will hold back,” warned Erasmus. “Every point will count in this match, so we need to be sharp mentally and physically, and ensure that we leave nothing out on the field.”
The match kicks off at 09:05 South African time and will be broadcast live on SuperSport, as the Springboks attempt to make history at rugby’s most intimidating venue.
Springbok team vs New Zeland:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handré 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 Nché
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker
You must be logged in to post a comment.