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4d ago

Kolisi Omitted as Du Toit Captains Springboks; All Blacks Restore Starters for Ellis Park Test

Coaches have named matchday squads that show cautious injury management and set the tone for a four‑Test tour where early momentum will matter.

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Rugby Union - Nations Championship - South Africa v Wales - Kings Park Stadium, Durban, South Africa - July 18, 2026 South Africa's Paul de Villiers in action with Wales' Josh Adams and Dan Edwards REUTERS/Rogan Ward
Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Scotland v New Zealand - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - November 8, 2025 New Zealand's Will Jordan celebrates scoring a try REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
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Overview

  • Both teams published their matchday 23s on Thursday with South Africa leaving out captain Siya Kolisi as a hamstring precaution and naming Pieter‑Steph du Toit to lead the side.
  • Damian de Allende will win his 100th Test cap in the starting midfield for the Springboks while Ox Nché has returned from injury to start in the front row.
  • New Zealand reinstated key players Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie to their starting XV after three provincial warm‑up wins on tour.
  • Coaches Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie emphasised managing player loads across the revived four‑Test tour and treated midweek and Argentina warm‑ups as selection auditions.
  • The opener kicks off at 17:10 at Ellis Park on Saturday, with last‑minute premium tickets still available and the result having possible ranking consequences and wider tour commercial implications, including a neutral fourth Test in Baltimore.