Fit-again Kolisi to return against Georgia

Double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi also returns from injury to take over the captaincy for the first time this season in an exciting squad named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for the match at the Mbombela Stadium.

Venter, who was called up to the squad in June as injury cover at prop, will start in completely new front row with fellow prop Fouche and hooker Van der Merwe, who both had their first taste of Springbok rugby in the team’s 54-7 victory against the Barbarians, while Kolisi features in a loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese after missing the last three matches due to niggles.

Erasmus’ team features only five players who started last week, and eight in total from the match-23 that defeated Italy 45-0 in Gqeberha.

The five players who retained their places in the starting lineup are Edwill van der Merwe (wing), Canan Moodie (utility back), Grant Williams (scrumhalf), Du Toit, and Ruan Nortje (lock). 

At the same time, Cobus Wiese and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf) are promoted from the bench to the starting team, with Thomas du Toit (prop) starting among the replacements.

Edwill van der Merwe, who scored two tries in his second match in the green and gold last week, has been named in a playmaking back three with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi, while Moodie joins forces with Damian de Allende in the midfield, and Williams pairs up with Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback.

Apart from a new-look front row and rejigged loose trio, Eben Etzebeth will link up with Ruan Nortje in the engine room.

Erasmus named a five-three split in favour of the forwards on the replacements bench, where Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch (both props) and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) will serve as the impact front row, along with RG Snyman (lock) and Kwagga Smith (loose forward).

Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Handre Pollard, and Damian Willemse (both utility backs), in turn, will provide backline cover.

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

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

“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.”

Erasmus added: “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.”

The Springboks may have won the last two matches against Georgia, but Erasmus insisted they would not underestimate the visitors.

“Georgia are a tough outfit, and they pride themselves on their physicality and brute force in the collisions, so the set pieces, mauls, and breakdowns will be key areas,” said Erasmus.

“They also have quality backline players to round off their team, so we need to be sharp in all the departments of our game to ensure that we continue to lift our standards, build momentum, and get the desired result.”

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