- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Springboks have confirmed an unchanged 23 for their opening match of the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand on Saturday evening in Yokohama.
Coach Rassie Erasmus unveiled the same side which was used for South Africa’s last warm-up match against Japan, which they won 41-7. Siya Kolisi will once again lead the team from blindside flanker, while key figures Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Pieter-Steph du Toit all feature in the strong forward pack.
Duane Vermeulen will line up at number 8 in what will be his 50th Test for the Springboks, while halves Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard will partner up for the opening game of the campaign.
The experienced Willie le Roux will start at fullback, with Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimi his younger back-three partners after scoring five tries between them in the big warm-up victory over the host nation.
Much of the 23-man group played throughout their first ever victorious Rugby Championship campaign, with 22 of the 23 players appearing in their fourth Test together this season. Kolisi is the exception, having sat out the early part of South Africa’s international season through injury.
This match against the All Blacks, which will likely decide top spot in Pool B, marks the first time in 51 matches the Springboks have named a team with no changes in it for consecutive matches.
New Zealand are expected to name their team at 12:30pm (AEST) on Thursday afternoon for Saturday’s match.
15. Willie le Roux
14. Cheslin Kolbe
13. Lukhanyo Am
12. Damian de Allende
11. Makazole Mapimpi
10. Handre Pollard
9. Faf de Klerk
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
5. Franco Mostert
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Frans Malherbe
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements:
16. Bongi Mbonambi
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Trevor Nyakane
19. RG Snyman
20. Francois Louw
21. Herschel Jantjies
22. Frans Steyn
23. Jesse Kriel