Siya Kolisi Returns To Captain Springboks, Team Includes Uncapped Front Row
Siya Kolisi Returns To Captain Springboks, Team Includes Uncapped Front Row
Siya Kolisi returns from injury, as Rassie Erasmus names three debutants in a fresh Springbok lineup to face Georgia in the final Incoming Series clash.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a bold and experimental lineup to face Georgia on Saturday, with three uncapped players set to start in the front row and captain Siya Kolisi making his long-awaited return from injury.
Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche will all earn their test debuts at Mbombela Stadium in the final match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
The trio will anchor a completely fresh front row in what Erasmus calls a crucial opportunity to build squad depth ahead of The Rugby Championship.
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“It’s great to have Siya back,” Erasmus said. “He’s 100% fit and brings that leadership and energy we’ve missed. As for Boan, Marnus and Neethling—they’ve worked incredibly hard and deserve this shot. We’re excited to see how they go.”
Kolisi, the two-time World Cup-winning captain, returns to the Springbok jersey for the first time in 2025, forming a loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese. The 92-cap veteran is just eight matches away from becoming South Africa’s ninth centurion.
Saturday’s squad sees a near-total reshuffle, with only five starters retained from the side that thumped Italy 45-0 last weekend in Gqeberha.
Among those returning are wing Edwill van der Merwe—who crossed for two tries last week—utility back Canan Moodie, scrumhalf Grant Williams, Du Toit and lock Ruan Nortje.
The back line is a mix of experience and youthful spark, featuring Damian de Allende in midfield and a back three of Van der Merwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi.
Arendse, who needs five points to reach 100 test points, will aim to reach the milestone in his 26th cap.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu steps into the No. 10 jersey, partnering Williams at halfback, while Eben Etzebeth extends his record as South Africa’s most-capped Springbok, earning his 133rd appearance in the second row.
On the bench, Erasmus has opted for a 5-3 forwards-to-backs split, with seasoned frontrowers Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit and Vincent Koch offering depth.
RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith complete the forward cover, while Faf de Klerk, Handré Pollard and Damian Willemse are the backline reinforcements.
Despite a dominant head-to-head record—South Africa has won both previous meetings, outscoring Georgia 86-26—Erasmus warned against complacency.
“Georgia brings physicality, no question,” he said. “They pride themselves on their scrums and breakdowns, and we’ll need to be sharp. This is a good test of where our newer players are.”
The inclusion of the three debutants brings the number of first-time caps this season to seven, reinforcing Erasmus’ long-held philosophy of depth and development, a mantra since taking over in 2018.
Kickoff is scheduled for 17:10 local time (11:10 a.m. Eastern), with the match broadcast live on FloRugby.
With 15 Rugby World Cup winners in the matchday 23, and a total of 921 caps across the squad, the Springboks are mixing firepower with fresh legs and setting a platform for the season ahead.
Springboks Roster Vs. Georgia
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse.
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