Kolisi’s positional switch headlines bold Bok strategy for Ellis Park showdown
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will make history when he starts at No 8 for the first time in a Test match as the team kicks off their Rugby Championship title defence against Australia at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, this Saturday.
Kolisi leads a new-look loose trio
The decision to move Kolisi from his usual flank position to No 8 is a strategic one from head coach Rassie Erasmus. Manie Libbok has been handed the No 10 jersey and will combine with Grant Williams at halfback. Speedster Edwill van der Merwe keeps his spot on the right wing, replacing the recovering Cheslin Kolbe.
Jesse Kriel teams up with Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield after Damian de Allende was sidelined with a niggle.
Erasmus confident in selection choices
Erasmus explained that the move is part of ongoing experimentation to find the best combinations.
“We’ve been experimenting with player combinations during the Castle Lager Incoming Series and at our conditioning camp in the last two weeks, and we believe this team will allow us to play the type of rugby we want to play against Australia,” Erasmus said.
He also warned that the Wallabies would be “coming out guns blazing” after a mixed series against the British & Irish Lions.
Kolbe rested, Van der Merwe given a chance
Kolbe has recovered from injury but will be given extra recovery time. Van der Merwe’s back-to-back Test start is seen as a reward for his strong form this season.
“Edwill has been in good form, and it will be exciting to see what he brings,” Erasmus added.
Experienced core with fresh faces
Eighteen of the match-23 are Rugby World Cup winners. Only Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Van der Merwe, and Asenathi Ntlabakanye have five caps or fewer. The experienced Eben Etzebeth will earn his 134th Test cap, equalling Welsh great Gethin Jenkins in joint-10th place on the all-time list.
Chasing five straight wins over Australia
The Springboks have beaten Australia four times in a row in Rugby Championship matches dating back to 2022. Saturday’s game presents an opportunity to make it five in a row and strengthen their title defence.
Springboks team to face Australia:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse.
Here are five South African mainstream media references you can use for the “Springboks move Siya Kolisi to No 8 for Australia opener” article:
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News24 Sport – “Kolisi to start at No 8 for the first time in Boks’ Australia clash”
🔗 https://www.news24.com/sport -
TimesLIVE Sport – “Springboks shuffle pack as Kolisi named at No 8”
🔗 https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport -
SuperSport – “Kolisi gets rare No 8 start against Wallabies”
🔗 https://www.supersport.com/rugby -
Daily Maverick Sport – “Springboks make bold call moving Kolisi to No 8”
🔗 https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/section/sport -
IOL Sport – “Siya Kolisi to lead Boks from No 8 against Australia”
🔗 https://www.iol.co.za/sport
