South Africa’s skipper, Siya Kolisi, was left out of the Springboks squad for the opening Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday. Coach Rassie Erasmus opted to hand the match‑day roster to the relatively untested lock Paul de Villiers instead of the captain, who is still nursing a hamstring strain picked up during the 17‑10 win over Argentina on August 8. The decision comes as the Springboks prepare for a four‑match series against the All Blacks, with the remaining three Tests scheduled for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore, Maryland. Erasmus explained that the coaching staff decided to err on the side of caution with Kolisi’s recovery, preferring to give the young forward his first taste of a Test against New Zealand while keeping the captain’s injury under close watch.
"Siya trained well with us this week, and although we could have selected him for this clash, we thought it would be best to select Paul," Erasmus said after naming the squad. "We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks and Paul has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance this weekend in what will be his first Test match against New Zealand, while taking a precautionary approach to Siya's return." Erasmus added that the Springboks possess a deep pool of talent and that selection will be handled on a week‑by‑week basis. "We have a solid group of players, and each one of them deserves their place in the squad, so we will approach team selection week by week," he noted. The match will also see centre Damian de Allende reach a personal milestone, earning his 100th Test cap at Ellis Park.
De Allende joins an elite group of only ten South Africans to have played a century of international matches, underscoring his longevity and importance to the side. Among the starting XV, fly‑half Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu and lock Eben Etzebeth retain the positions they held in the Buenos Aires victory over Argentina. Prop Ox Nche, who has not started since the July Nations Championship win over England, is also named in the starting pack, reflecting Erasmus’ desire to rotate fresh legs into the forward unit.
Historically, the Springboks have enjoyed a strong record against the All Blacks, winning five of their last six encounters. Their most dominant performance came in September last year when they thrashed New Zealand 43‑10 in Wellington, a result that still resonates in South African rugby folklore.
Erasmus was realistic about the challenge ahead. "They are a quality team and they're very well coached, so we are preparing for an 80‑minute grind," he said. "They have a well‑rounded squad with physical forwards and an exciting backline, so we have to be sharp and accurate in our execution from the outset.
Many of the matches between the sides have come down to the wire, so it's important that we use the chances we create and ensure that our discipline is on point. It's going to be a big battle, but the entire squad is excited about the match and looking forward to it." The Springboks' starting lineup is expected to be: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt‑Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter‑Steph du Toit (c), 8 Jasper Wiese. The bench will feature Jan‑Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.
New Zealand will field a strong side of their own, with Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard and Will Jordan named in the starting XV. Savea will captain the All Blacks, while Roigard will take charge at scrum‑half and Jordan, the record‑breaking try‑scorer, will line up on the wing.
Full‑back Damian McKenzie returns after missing the warm‑up game against the Sharks due to an ankle injury. Head coach Dave Rennie has blended seasoned campaigners with emerging talent. Veteran hooker Codie Taylor and back‑rower Ardie Savea will be playing their 18th and 17th Tests against South Africa respectively, while newcomers Anton Segner and Josh Moorby will make their All Blacks debuts on South African soil.
Rennie spoke about the excitement surrounding the series: "After all the build‑up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first Test underway. We have selected a balanced mix of big‑match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first Test. The first three franchise games have exposed our newer players to the way South African teams play and have been fantastic in helping us build combinations and develop the game we want to play.
We know the Test series will be a huge step up. We're well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear.
They are No 1 in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday." New Zealand’s expected starting XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Fabian Holland, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 7 Luke Jacobsen, 8 Ardie Savea (c). Replacements will include Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Leinert‑Brown and Leroy Carter. The first Test promises to be a tightly contested encounter, with both coaches emphasizing the need for precision, discipline and the ability to seize key moments. South Africa will look to exploit their physical forward dominance and the flair of their backline, while New Zealand will rely on their dynamic attacking structures and the experience of their senior campaigners.
As the series unfolds, the outcome of this opening match could set the tone for the remaining three Tests, making Ellis Park a focal point for rugby fans worldwide. For viewers, the match will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with additional coverage and highlights available through the NOW platform.
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