When the Springboks take on France this Saturday, it’s set to be a very special occasion for Siya Kolisi as he earns his 100th Test cap to become the ninth South African player to join the centurion club.
While the selection of Kolisi is a certainty, it will be interesting to see what other selections Rassie Erasmus will have up his sleeve as he prepares the team for this blockbuster battle.
Thomas du Toit and Pieter-Steph du Toit will return to selection contention, while the likes of Canan Moodie, Eben Etzebeth and Wilco Louw should also come back into the mix.
It’s not yet clear whether Damian Willemse is fit and available for selection, so Cheslin Kolbe may well need to continue at fullback.
HOW THE SPRINGBOKS COULD LINE UP AGAINST FRANCE:
South Africa (probable): 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 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, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Manie Libbok.
Strong start to November series
This past weekend the Springboks scored eight tries and were awarded a penalty try as they cruised to a resounding win over Japan, and Erasmus said he was certainly pleased with how the team fronted up.
“We have to give credit to the whole team,” said Erasmus.
“Some of the players have not played for us in a while, such as Gerhard (Steenekamp), Franco (Mostert), Johan (Grobbelaar), Andre (Esterhuizen) at No 7, and Zachary (Porthen) made his debut.
“And then if one looks at a player like Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) – who scored two tries in the match – he played for us for the SA ‘A’ team (three years ago), and he worked with the coaches on that tour.
“Tonight was a wet game against a Japanese team that we’ve struggled to put away before, and he was physical for a No 10. He kicked well, tackled well, and he’s got the magic feel for the game. So, with him, Manie (Libbok) and Handre (Pollard), we are in a good position with flyhalves.
“Obviously, you can see Sacha is getting more comfortable in the position, but we face France next week and we also have Ireland lined up later on tour, so we always need to make a step up.”
