Springboks replace Kolisi with De Villiers for first All Blacks test

Springboks centre Damian de Allende is set to become the 100th South African Test cap holder when he plays against the All Blacks in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park on Saturday. Head coach Rassie Erasmus selected a squad featuring players who trained in South Africa specifically for this series, alongside those who participated in the recent 17-10 victory over Argentina.

De Allende's milestone cap will be particularly significant as it comes during a four-Test series against New Zealand. Lock Eben Etzebeth and flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu return from the Argentina test, while the backline includes a lethal combination of Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Damian Willemse. The front row will consist of Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw.

Captain Pieter-Steph du Toit leads the back row, featuring Jasper Wiese and Paul de Villiers, who gets his first Test match against New Zealand. Erasmus highlighted the importance of discipline and execution, given the close nature of past encounters between the teams. The bench features a 6-2 split of players, with Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok providing backline cover.