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
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Why would you do that? Most Kiwis go for ‘anyone playing Australia’ and we have seen that posted on here many times.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
A very good team. Certainly good enough to win. And most of the world rugby fan base will be hoping they do win. Come on South Africa. You can do it. As others have said, there is something very likeable about this team.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’d be amazed if it was 10-15 to either side; there’s been a pubic hair between them for the last 3 years
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Does Steyn play 10 if Pollard is hurt? Would require a complete change of game plan given his different (lesser) skill set
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
https://twitter.com/jon_cardinelli/status/1174288063486283782?s=12 Give me this sort of honest appraisal of opposition over the double speak we get from Shag and Cheik who think it’s clever to obfuscate and speak in riddles
Something like this https://images.app.goo.gl/XktVQDUmDcrMisGG6
Footage of my circumstances? :happy:
Faithful
Roar Rookie
The weakness to this side will be the back 3 ability to handle the high ball. Otherwise, make no mistake, this is a quality Springbok side. Just look at that bench... If you can leave the Beast, Louw, Snyman, Steyn and Kriel on the bench, then you have a very strong starting XV.
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes. And Kriel was a 15 for the Bulls. And Kolbe is great at 15.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Bokke for me if ABs don't win WC. But this game will be a surprise. 10-15 pts to ABs.
pm
Roar Rookie
I'd love some video footage, Corne :laughing:
pm
Roar Rookie
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pm
Roar Rookie
I kind of love that this game is for nothing but pride in a way too.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Steyn would be the obvious choice
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Who goes to 15 if Le Roux is injured or has one of his bad days?
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
There is a lesson to be learnt in that QF vs Aus in 2011 though, just as the ABs had to learn from the France QF in 2007 with W Barnes. The lesson is to take the ref out of the equation if he stops reffing, and to adjust to the situation and take ownership, like Pocock did in 2011. Lets hope the refs keep their ability to make mostly right calls, and don't freeze into a position to not make any calls at all, becoming a spectator instead, but teams should be prepared for a ref worse case scenario and have tactics ready for that situation. I think SA and NZ will meet again in the final, and SA and NZ have the ability to recover from a first game loss, so not quite as nervous as you (still got butterflies in the stomach, but I feel this way every time before we face SA!).
Harry Jones
Expert
In the starting pack, seven men are 25-28 years old; with old Thor (33) the only senior. The bench forwards are very experienced: 267 caps, with RG (16 caps) the only newbie. But he's never lost to the ABs in NZ. In the backs, only Willie and Frans are 30+. The general Pollard is only 25 (42 caps), and the wings are raw. The prime common elements are confidence and athletic ability.
Andres
Guest
That XV is as solid as it gets. Also, what a bench!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It’s a special feeling right now. I think back to just how poor SA got before the Japan loss signalled rock bottom and Rassie’s performance is bloody remarkable. This team are rightfully equal favourites for the tournament in my humble opinion and, sorry to say my Saffa friends (and wife), I’ve tipped them to win on Saturday. And they’re doing it with a style that is theirs and feels right for a Bok team. If we can’t win (and we really can’t) then I hope it’s the Bokke