Kolbe and Notshe secure first Springbok starts

Starting on the wing and at Number 8 respectively, Cheslin Kolbe and Sikhumbuzo Notshe will make their starting debuts for the Boks as two of five personnel changes to the side that toppled the All Blacks.

Kolbe debuted for the Boks just three weeks ago against the Wallabies, and was an early replacement a week later against the All Blacks, where he proved vital through an intercept try.

Warren Whiteley sustaining a groin injury early on in the week has opened up a chance for Sikhumbuzo Notshe to make his claim at eighthman.

“Cheslin has been very impressive since he joined the squad a few weeks ago and now he gets a deserved opportunity to start in a big Test,” said SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus.

“The same applies for Notshe, who did very well in the role of impact player during the English series. He has kept on working hard and he deserves his opportunity in the starting team.”

With the unfortunate injuries to both centres Damian De Allende and Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel returns from the right wing to outside centre where he will play alongside the boisterous Andre Esterhuizen.

In the tight, Steven Kitshoff who has started the last two matches returns to the bench as veteran Tendai Mtawarira takes up the starting loosehead role.

“The inclusion of ‘Beast’ in the front row is a straight swop for Steven and Jesse returns to outside centre, a position where he has played most of his Test rugby, next to André, who started in four Tests already this year.”

While the rest of the run on XV remains unchanged, slight alterations have been made to the bench. Marco Van Staden replaces the departed Francois Louw, while Embrose Papier provides scrum half backup (replacing Ross Cronje) and the multi talented Damian Willemse returns to the bench.

Erasmus’ bench proved a huge strength in Wellington, and he will be looking for impact of the same sort come Saturday, saying:

“The players that we sent on took their chances and that’s what we want from this group. We are trying to build experience in the squad that we can take to the Rugby World Cup.”

 

Teams:

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Damian Willemse

Australia

Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau, Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Substitutes:: Folau Fainga’a, Sekope Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Rob Simmons, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Jack Maddocks.