Springboks name team to face All Blacks in Johannesburg

Rugby's Greatest Rivalry

less than 1 hour agoBy: Alan Brown

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has named a strong side for the first Test in Johannesburg, with Damian de Allende set to make his 100th Test appearance.

Springboks set to defend their fortress in opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry

Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain South Africa in the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday.

With regular captain Siya Kolisi unavailable, du Toit will lead the side from the blindside flank, while Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje form an experienced locking combination.

South Africa have opted for Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the halves, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu starting at first five-eighth outside Williams.

De Allende will bring up his century of Test appearances at second five-eighth, partnering Jesse Kriel in the midfield, while Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse make up a dangerous back three.

Up front, Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw form the starting front row. Louw gets the nod at tighthead prop, with Thomas du Toit not included in the match-day 23.

WATCH: All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie talks about 23 to face South Africa

The loose forward trio features Paul de Villiers, captain du Toit and Jasper Wiese.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Etzebeth are the only two players retained in the starting XV from South Africa’s most recent Test against Argentina earlier this month.

Erasmus said the Springboks were preparing for a demanding contest against an All Blacks side he expects to challenge across the park.

“They are a quality team and they’re very well coached, so we are preparing for an 80-minute grind,” Erasmus said.

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.
Rassie Erasmus

Springboks team to face the All Blacks at 10bet Ellis Park

15. Damian Willemse
14. Cheslin Kolbe
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian de Allende
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9. Grant Williams
8. Jasper Wiese
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (c)
6. Paul de Villiers
5. Ruan Nortje
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Wilco Louw
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Ox Nche

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.

WATCH: All Blacks great haka performances in Johannesburg against South Africa

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