South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi, will not be part of the match‑day lineup for the first Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday. Coach Rassie Erasmus has opted to hand the starting role to the relatively inexperienced lock Paul de Villiers, preferring to protect Kolisi, who is still nursing a hamstring strain suffered during the Springboks’ 17‑10 win over Argentina on August 8.
The decision comes ahead of a four‑match series that will see the Springboks host the All Blacks in three further venues – Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore in the United States. Erasmus explained that the team’s approach is to manage Kolisi’s recovery carefully, rather than risk a setback in the opening game. "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. "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 evaluated 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 mark a milestone for centre Damian de Allende, who will earn his 100th Test cap at Ellis Park, joining an elite group as only the tenth South African player to reach a century of appearances. Among the players retaining their starting spots from the Buenos Aires victory are fly‑half Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu and lock Eben Etzebeth. Prop Ox Nche makes his first start since the July Nations Championship win over England, adding further depth to the forward pack.
Historically, South Africa have enjoyed a strong record against New Zealand, winning five of their last six encounters. The most recent triumph was a commanding 43‑10 victory in Wellington last September, which remains a benchmark for the Springboks. Erasmus praised the All Blacks, describing them as a “quality team” with excellent coaching, and warned that the upcoming encounter will be an 80‑minute battle. "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," he said. The Springboks’ starting XV 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 include Jan‑Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok. For New Zealand, the lineup features captain Ardie Savea, scrum‑half Cam Roigard and prolific wing Will Jordan, all of whom will start the first Test of the tour. Full‑back Damian McKenzie returns after missing the warm‑up win over the Sharks due to an ankle injury.
Head coach Dave Rennie has blended seasoned campaigners with emerging talent, fielding 110‑cap veterans Savea and Codie Taylor alongside newcomers Anton Segner and Josh Moorby, who will face South Africa for the first time. Rennie expressed enthusiasm about the series, saying, "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 starting XV is projected as: 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). Their bench will consist of Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Leinert‑Brown and Leroy Carter. The series promises a clash of contrasting styles: South Africa’s traditionally forward‑driven, physical approach versus New Zealand’s fluid, high‑tempo backline play. Both coaches have emphasized the importance of discipline, execution and seizing scoring opportunities, especially given the narrow margins that have decided many past encounters.
As the Springboks aim to maintain their recent dominance and the All Blacks look to re‑assert their status as world leaders, the opening Test at Ellis Park is set to be a tightly contested, high‑stakes encounter that could shape the narrative of the entire tour.