The Springboks named an exciting squad for their final Incoming Test against Georgia in Nelspruit, with double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returning from injury to lead the side, while three uncapped forward players earn Springbok call-ups.
DEBUTS ACROSS THE FRONT ROW FOR SPRINGBOKS
Boan Venter starts at prop, while Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Neethling Fouche (prop) round out a revamped front row.
All three featured in the team’s recent 54–7 win against the Barbarians, with Venter joining the squad in June as injury cover. Their inclusion brings the season’s newly capped players to seven, alongside Vincent Tshituka, Cobus Wiese, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, and Ethan Hooker – who debuted against Italy.
Rassie Erasmus voiced confidence in the new players: “Boan, Marnus, and Neethling have been training hard and deserve their chance.”
He added that Van der Merwe and Fouche have taste of international rugby, while Venter has impressed at club level.
“Building squad depth has been one of our pillars since 2018, and they are all undoubtedly ready to make the step‑up.”
SKIPPER SIYA KOLISI MAKES WELCOME RETURN TO MUCH-CHANGED SIDE
Kolisi returns to captain the side and joins a loose trio featuring Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese. The Bok captain missed the last three matches while recovering from niggles.
Erasmus praised Kolisi’s fitness, stating, “we wanted to make sure that Siya is 100% fit before selecting him.”
His return also adds experience – 15 World Cup winners feature in the match-day squad.
Only five starters return from last week’s 45–0 win over Italy. The back three features Edwill van der Merwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Aphelele Fassi, with former scoring wing van der Merwe promoted from the bench.
Canan Moodie and Damian de Allende form the midfield partnership, while Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu pair up at halfback. Eben Etzebeth partners Ruan Nortje in the second row.
RASSIE OPTS FOR LOADED BENCH
Erasmus selected a forward-heavy replacements bench (five forwards to three backs). The forwards include Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith.
In the backline, Faf de Klerk begins the bench alongside Handré Pollard and Damian Willemse—offering strong tactical cover late in the game.
SPRINGBOKS TEAM FOR GEORGIA TEST
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse.
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