Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi Reaches 100-Test Milestone Against France. Images: News24/ Steve Haag/ Gallo Images.
(The Post News)- This Saturday, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will lead South Africa against France at the Stade de France in Paris, earning his 100th Test cap, a significant career milestone.
As a result of his leadership, tenacity, and enduring influence on the world champions, Kolisi will become just the seventh South African to score a century in Test rugby.
For Rassie Erasmus, who will supervise his 50th Test as head coach, the game holds particular significance. As one of South Africa’s most successful captain-coach teams, Kolisi and Erasmus have led the Springboks to consecutive Rugby World Cup victories, Rugby Championship crowns, and an unforgettable British & Irish Lions Series victory.
The team that defeated Japan last week features six new members thanks to Erasmus. Damian Willemse, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, and Pieter-Steph du Toit return to the starting lineup, and Boan Venter replaces the injured Ox Nŏ at loosehead prop. To allow the fit-again Du Toit trio to regroup in the pack, RG Snyman is benched.
Etzebeth will lock with Lood de Jager, and Venter, Malcolm Marx, and Du Toit will be in the front row. Kolisi, Du Toit, and Jasper Wiese, the well-known loose trio that began South Africa’s close 30–26 defeat to France in Marseille in 2022, will rejoin.
Cheslin Kolbe moves to the wing next to Kurt-Lee Arendse in the backline while Willemse switches to fullback, creating a potent attacking tandem. Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu team up at halfback, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel maintain their reliable midfield pairing.
Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Snyman, Ruan Nortjé, André Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, and Manie Libbok are among the experienced and impactful players on the bench who are prepared to contribute when called upon.
According to Erasmus, the team is committed to giving Kolisi an unforgettable experience. The team is excited to make Kolisi’s 100th appearance an unforgettable night, he said. Moreover, Erasmus described Kolisi as “a composed and collected leader who consistently places his squad first.”
Springboks Line-up
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 (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements
16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortjé, 21 André Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
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