South Africa vs New Zealand: Springboks captain Siya Kolisi not selected for first Test against All Blacks
South Africa and New Zealand renew rugby's 'Greatest Rivalry' in the first match of their four Test series at Ellis Park this Saturday; watch South Africa vs New Zealand live on Sky Sports Action on Saturday from 4.10pm
Thursday 20 August 2026 14:23, UK
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been omitted the team for Saturday's first Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus named the inexperienced Paul de Villiers in his matchday squad ahead of Kolisi, who has been nursing a hamstring injury sustained in their 17-10 victory over Argentina on August 8.
With three further Tests against the All Blacks to come in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore, USA, Kolisi has not been risked.
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"Siya trained well with us this week, and although we could have selected him for this clash, we thought it would be best to select Paul," Erasmus said.
"We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks and Paul has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance this weekend in what will be his first Test match against New Zealand, while taking a precautionary approach to Siya's return.
"We have a solid group of players, and each one of them deserves their place in the squad, so we will approach team selection week by week."
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Centre Damian de Allende will earn his 100th Test cap at Ellis Park, becoming the 10th player in South African rugby history to reach the century landmark.
Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and lock Eben Etzebeth are the only players to retain their starting positions from the victory in Buenos Aires.
Prop Ox Nche, meanwhile, starts for the first time since July's Nations Championship victory over England.
South Africa have won five of their last six Tests against New Zealand, including inflicting a record 43-10 defeat on their great rivals in Wellington last September.
"They are a quality team and they're very well coached, so we are preparing for an 80-minute grind," Erasmus added.
"They have a well-rounded squad with physical forwards and an exciting backline, so we have to be sharp and accurate in our execution from the outset.
"Many of the matches between the sides have come down to the wire, so it's important that we use the chances we create and ensure that our discipline is on point.
"It's going to be a big battle, but the entire squad is excited about the match and looking forward to it."
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), 8 Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.
Savea, Roigard, Jordan start for New Zealand
Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard and Will Jordan all start for New Zealand in Saturday's first Test.
Captain Savea, scrum-half Roigard and record try-scoring wing Jordan will make their first appearances of this summer's tour of South Africa, while full-back Damian McKenzie returns after injuring his ankle in the warm-up victory over the Sharks in Durban.
Head coach Dave Rennie has blended experience with youth, with 110-cap duo Savea and Codie Taylor facing the Springboks for the 18th and 17th time respectively, while Anton Segner and Josh Moorby will face South Africa for the first time.
"After all the build-up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first Test underway," Rennie said.
"We have selected a balanced mix of big-match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first Test.
"The first three franchise games have exposed our newer players to the way South African teams play and have been fantastic in helping us build combinations and develop the game we want to play.
"We know the Test series will be a huge step up. We're well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear.
"They are No 1 in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday."
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Fabian Holland, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 7 Luke Jacobsen, 8 Ardie Savea (c).
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Leinert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.
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