Kolisi cleared to lead Springboks against All Blacks

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will lead a starting team with five changes and two positional switches in their Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium this Sunday.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has also named experienced fullback Willie le Roux and flyhalf Handre Pollard for Sunday’s match.

There was speculation that Kolisi would be forced out after suffering a cheek injury in the first clash between the southern hemisphere giants, which South Africa won 31-27 in Johannesburg last Sunday.

There had been no comment on Kolisi’s injury since Erasmus said after the first match that Kolisi might have a fractured cheekbone.

A delay in announcing the team from the usual Tuesday to Thursday added to speculation about Kolisi’s fitness.

Erasmus says their team policy is that if a player trains on Monday and gets through training during the week pain-free, they can be selected for the weekend, and Kolisi did just that.

The Springboks will face the All Blacks at 3am, while Argentina will host the Wallabies at 7am.

Both matches will be held this Sunday.

Springboks (15-1): Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Handre Pollard, Grant Williams; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Kwagga Smith, Elrigh Louw, Jaden Hendrikse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Lukhanyo Am.

Source: Rugby.com.au