Siya Kolisi is among the three returnees who will make their first appearances of the year for the Springboks in the World Cup warm-up against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Kolisi and loosehead prop Ox Nche make their return from injury while scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse makes his first appearance following a family bereavement.
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Jacques Nienaber named an experienced combination as he looked to start building momentum and cohesiveness within his squad for the tournament, which kicks off in France on Friday 8 September.
The team features the reuniting of Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Malcolm Marx for the second time this season, while the Muster lock duo of Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman will start together in Springbok jerseys for the first time.
Fingers crossed🤞@mark_keohane and Zels discuss Siya Kolisi's astonishing return to the Bok side. pic.twitter.com/UtiRtoB5eH
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 16, 2023
The loose trio also has a new look to it, with Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit partnering up with Jasper Wiese in the other changes in the forward pack – reforming a combination that last appeared together against Ireland in November.
In the backline, Hendrikse will take the field alongside regular flyhalf Manie Libbok, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are rejoined in a midfield combination. Cheslin Kolbe comes in on the left wing where he will form an exciting back three with veteran fullback Willie le Roux and right wing Canan Moodie.
Nienaber opted for a six-two split in favour of forwards on the bench, where Nche and Vincent Koch will provide cover at prop and Bongi Mbonambi – who captained the team in the last Test against Argentina – at hooker, while the physical trio of Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden and Duane Vermeulen will also be ready to make an impact off the bench.
The two backs among the replacements are Grant Williams, who can provide cover at scrumhalf and wing, and Damian Willemse, who can slot in at flyhalf, centre and fullback.
Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse.
Photo: Matt Impey/Shutterstock/BackpagePix