Rassie Erasmus takes cautious approach as Siya Kolisi misses first All Blacks Test

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has been left out of South Africa’s squad for Saturday’s opening Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park, with head coach Rassie Erasmus opting for a cautious approach after the flanker’s recent hamstring injury.

Kolisi was forced off during South Africa’s match against Argentina two weeks ago. Although Springbok management said he had trained well during the week, Erasmus decided not to rush the regular captain back into international action.

“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 (de Villiers) for this weekend’s game,” Erasmus said.

The match is the first of four Tests between the Springboks and the All Blacks. Erasmus said Paul de Villiers’ recent form had earned him the opportunity to make his first Test appearance against New Zealand, while Kolisi’s recovery would continue to be managed carefully.

“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.

“We have a solid group of players, and each one of them deserves their places in the squad, so we will approach team selection week by week.”

Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain South Africa in Kolisi’s absence. He starts at number seven, with Paul de Villiers selected at number six.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu retains the number 10 shirt, while Damian de Allende will celebrate a milestone appearance against the All Blacks. Damian Willemse starts at full-back, with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wings and Jesse Kriel at outside centre.

Grant Williams is named at scrum-half, while Jasper Wiese starts at number eight. Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth form the second row, with Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche making up the front row.

Saturday’s Test at Ellis Park begins at 17:10.

South Africa’s starting XV is:

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 (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.

The replacements are Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.

Erasmus said selection decisions would continue to be made on a match-by-match basis during the four-Test series, with the Springboks maintaining a strong squad despite Kolisi’s absence from the opening fixture.