Siya Kolisi returns as Springboks debut three new players against Georgia

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus will unleash three more debutants this weekend against Georgia, with Neethling Fouché, Boan Venter and Marnus van der Merwe, who will play a Test for the first time.

That will bring the new caps unleashed over the three Tests to seven players for the season as the world champions continue to expand their depth in various positions, while staying on the winning path.

In another boost for the side, several senior players will get a last hit-out before the Rugby Championship as captain Siya Kolisi returns from minor niggles to lead the side for the first time this season. Kolisi is joined up front by lock Eben Etzebeth and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit. The surprise amongs the forwards is Cobus Wiese, normally a lock or flanker, slotting in at eight for the match in the Mbombela Stadium (5.10 pm start).

In the backs, centre Damian de Allende links up with Canan Moodie in the midfield, as Kurt-Lee Arendse and fullback Aphelele Fassi also return to the fold, having missed the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha.

Saturday’s duel with the physical Georgians will be the final test Erasmus and his players will have ahead of a gruelling Rugby Championship, where they will look to defend their title.

The Bok mentor stuck to his word and mixed the inexperienced with veterans for this clash as they look to end the mid-year matches with a perfect record. Georgia recently lost to the Cheetahs, but Erasmus said they will not underestimate their opponents. The matchday squad includes 15 World Cup winners.

Faf de Klerk, Handré Pollard, and Damian Willemse are the backs on the bench, while Vincent Koch, Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith will provide an impact in the forwards.

Only five players retained their places in the starting lineup after whitewashing Italy 45-0 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Erasmus was excited to see the three uncapped players and Kolisi in action.

“We wanted to ensure that Siya is 100% fit before selecting him, so it’s great to have him back in the squad, while Boan, Marnus, and Neethling have been training hard and deserve their chance,” According to Erasmus.

“Marnus and Neethling played against the Barbarians, so they have an idea of what international rugby is about, while Boan has shown great potential at club level and with the squad in the last few weeks, and we are looking forward to seeing him play.”

“Building squad depth has been one of our pillars as a squad since 2018, and they are all undoubtedly ready to make the step-up.”

Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassie, 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 (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse.