Ox Nche Returns as Siya Kolisi Misses Springboks’ All Blacks Opener
Ox Nche is set to make his return to the Springbok starting XV, but captain Siya Kolisi will be absent when South Africa opens its Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Springboks will face the All Blacks at 5.10pm in what promises to be another intense chapter in one of rugby’s fiercest rivalries.
Nche returns to the front row after missing the previous match following a knee injury suffered against England at Ellis Park. He will start alongside Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx.
Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth will form the second row, while Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead the team in Kolisi’s absence.
Kolisi picked up a muscle injury during the Springboks’ clash with Argentina. Although coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that the captain trained well during the week, the coaching staff opted to give Paul de Villiers an opportunity in the loose trio.
Du Toit will be joined by De Villiers and Jasper Wiese in the starting back row.
Kolisi misses as Erasmus makes a calculated call
Kolisi’s absence will be closely watched, particularly given his importance to the Springboks and his leadership role in the team.
Erasmus said the captain had trained well, but the decision was made to leave him out of the opening match.
With Du Toit taking over the captaincy, the Springboks will rely on a combination of experience and emerging talent as they prepare for the challenge posed by the All Blacks.
The selection also gives De Villiers another opportunity to make his mark at Test level.
Damian de Allende set for Springbok milestone
While Kolisi will watch from the sidelines, Saturday will bring a major personal milestone for Damian de Allende.
The centre will earn his 100th Springbok cap, becoming only the 10th player to reach the landmark for South Africa.
De Allende will start at inside centre alongside Jesse Kriel, with Damian Willemse at fullback and Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wings.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will wear the No 10 jersey, while Grant Williams starts at scrumhalf.
The backline will also feature plenty of experience as South Africa looks to make a strong start against New Zealand.
Springboks starting XV
15 Damian Willemse
14 Cheslin Kolbe
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Damian de Allende
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9 Grant Williams
8 Jasper Wiese
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Paul de Villiers
5 Ruan Nortje
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Wilco Louw
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche
Springboks replacements
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
17 Gerhard Steenekamp
18 Zachary Porthen
19 Cobus Wiese
20 Andre Esterhuizen
21 Marco van Staden
22 Cobus Reinach
23 Manie Libbok
With Nche back in the starting lineup, Du Toit taking over the captaincy and De Allende reaching his century of Test appearances, the Springboks head into Saturday’s showdown with several major storylines already in place.
But the biggest question remains whether South Africa can begin the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a victory over the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
