JOHANNESBURG – Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a highly experienced matchday squad for Saturday’s highly anticipated Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park, headlined by a double milestone in the backline.
Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse are both set to earn their 50th Test caps, exactly eight years after making their international debuts in 2018. The dynamic duo will start in a settled back three alongside Kurt-Lee Arendse, anchoring a starting lineup that boasts a combined 935 Test appearances.
Experienced Core to Spearhead Opener
Erasmus has opted for continuity and proven combinations to counter a well-drilled English side coming off their Six Nations campaign.
Siya Kolisi will captain the side for the 72nd time, returning to the venue where he first took charge of the national team against England back in 2018. Joining Kolisi in an imposing pack are fellow centurion Eben Etzebeth, who extends his historic Springbok cap record to 142, and Jasper Wiese at number eight.
The front row features heavy firepower, with 2025 World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Malcolm Marx packing down at hooker between powerful props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit. In the second row, Ruan Nortje partners Etzebeth to complete the tight five.
Behind the scrum, Grant Williams and Manie Libbok pair up at halfback, while the midfield features the trusted veteran combination of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
Tactical Bench Split
The Springboks have configured a traditional 5-3 split on the bench, blending raw physical impact with versatile backline coverage.
Forward Cover
- Front Row: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Zach Porthen provide the backup front-row options.
- Loose Forwards: Marco van Staden and Cameron Hanekom complete the forward replacements, with Hanekom returning to the matchday mix for the first time since November 2024.
Backline Utility
The remaining three spots are occupied by versatile backs Cobus Reinach, Andre Esterhuizen, and Canan Moodie. Reinach enters the clash just five points shy of registering 100 points in the green and gold.
Squad Updates and Absences
Several notable players were excluded from the matchday 23 due to medical and fitness concerns:
- Franco Mostert (utility forward) is sidelined with a minor niggle.
- Lood de Jager (lock) misses out due to illness.
- Riley Norton (utility forward) has left the camp entirely after picking up an injury.
On a positive note, utility back Ethan Hooker joined the squad in Johannesburg on Monday after successfully recovering from a long-term shoulder injury that kept him out since April.
Historic Context & Double-Header Billing
According to SA Rugby’s official pre-match data, history heavily favors the hosts at this venue. The Springboks have secured victories in three of their four historical encounters against England in Johannesburg, with their solitary defeat dating back to 1972. This encounter marks the first meeting between the two rivals since South Africa’s 29-20 victory during the 2024 end-of-year tour.
In an official statement released by SA Rugby, the coaching staff emphasized that while recent warm-up outings against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe provided valuable game time, England represents a significantly tougher, more settled challenge. The team notes that celebrating the 50-cap milestones for Kolbe and Willemse provides immense secondary motivation, but executing cleanly and converting scoring opportunities remains the primary focus against a physical northern hemisphere opponent.
The clash forms the second half of a massive double-header at Ellis Park on Saturday, 4 July. Action begins at 13:30 SAST when the Springbok Women host the USA for the first time on South African soil, followed by the Men’s Test kickoff at 17:40 SAST, broadcast live on SuperSport.
Springbok Team to Face England
Starting XV:
- Damian Willemse (49 caps)
- Cheslin Kolbe (49 caps)
- Jesse Kriel (87 caps)
- Damian de Allende (97 caps)
- Kurt-Lee Arendse (30 caps)
- Manie Libbok (28 caps)
- Grant Williams (28 caps)
- Jasper Wiese (44 caps)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (95 caps)
- Siya Kolisi (c) (103 caps)
- Ruan Nortje (18 caps)
- Eben Etzebeth (141 caps)
- Thomas du Toit (32 caps)
- Malcolm Marx (87 caps)
- Ox Nche (47 caps)
Replacements:
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels (9 caps), 17. Gerhard Steenekamp (16 caps), 18. Zach Porthen (3 caps), 19. Marco van Staden (33 caps), 20. Cameron Hanekom (1 cap), 21. Cobus Reinach (50 caps), 22. Andre Esterhuizen (29 caps), 23. Canan Moodie (23 caps).
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