Siya Kolisi will become the ninth Springbok to earn 100 Test caps when he leads the team against France in Paris on Saturday night.
It will also be a landmark evening for Rassie Erasmus, who takes charge of his 50th Test as head coach. He’s made six personnel changes to the side that beat Japan last week.
Kolisi’s latest achievement adds to a glittering career that includes back-to-back World Cup titles, two Rugby Championship crowns and a British & Irish Lions series victory.
MORE: Fleckie, Dobbo hail Siya’s influence
In changes to the team that beat Japan 61-7 at Wembley, Boan Venter replaces the injured Ox Nche at loosehead prop, while Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian Willemse all return to the starting lineup.
RG Snyman drops to the bench, with Kwagga Smith unavailable due to a niggle.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu retains the flyhalf berth for a fifth consecutive Test, continuing his steady rise under Erasmus. The Stormers playmaker will again partner Cobus Reinach at halfback, while Willemse starts at fullback in a backline that features Cheslin Kolbe on the wing and the established midfield pairing of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
MORE: Rassie backs Boan to ‘swim’
Up front, Marx and Du Toit join Venter in the front row, with Etzebeth and Lood de Jager at lock, and a powerful loose trio of Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese.
The bench remains largely unchanged, with Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Snyman, Ruan Nortje and Andre Esterhuizen covering the forwards, while Grant Williams and Manie Libbok provide backline depth.
JASPER: Forward battle will decide Paris Test
“This is a huge milestone for Siya and we are all delighted for him,” said Erasmus. “He’s a level-headed player who won’t let the occasion distract him. We’ll celebrate his achievement after the match – hopefully with a result that makes it even more memorable.”
Erasmus added that his team was braced for a fierce contest in Paris, with France eager to avenge their World Cup quarter-final exit.
“France have a quality team and a passionate home crowd. We’ll have to be accurate and take our chances. It’s going to be another epic battle between two proud sides.”
TEAM: Les Bleus back Bomb Squad for Boks
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The post Siya hits 100 for Boks, Gaza returns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.