The Springboks skipper had been a doubt for the clash in Cape Town due to a facial injury

South Africa made seven changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday. Handre Pollard is back at fly half and Willie le Roux joins the team at full-back.

Coach Rassie Erasmus included captain Siya Kolisi at flank after he got clearance to play following a facial injury in the 31-27 victory over the All Blacks in Johannesburg last weekend.

Coach Rassie Erasmus informed reporters that Siya had two choices for his nose fracture. He could either get it fixed now and be sidelined for three weeks, or wait two weeks, which is what he decided to do.

When asked if his sore nose would affect his performance in contact, Siya assured the team that he had no issues during training this week. Le Roux will take the place of Aphelele Fassi in the back three, alongside wings Canan Moodie and Cheslin Kolbe, as Kurt-Lee Arendse is unable to play due to a concussion.

Makazole Mapimpi, who has won the World Cup twice, was not chosen for the team because his wife is about to have a baby. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will play together in the center position, and Pollard will take the place of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who will be on the bench.

“We have a plan for the next three years, and we believe in giving players opportunities. Fassi is definitely included in that plan,” stated Erasmus. Grant Williams will start at scrumhalf, while Jaden Hendrikse will be on the bench in a unique 5-3 split between forwards and backs chosen by Erasmus.

Jasper Wiese stays at number eight, and Pieter-Steph du Toit moves back to flanker after playing lock in the previous game. Eben Etzebeth is now just one game away from tying Victor Matfield’s record for most appearances by a Springbok player. He will be playing in his 126th game as he starts in the second row with Ruan Nortje.

Bongi Mbonambi plays at hooker with props Frans Malherbe and Ox Nche. Erasmus said, “This game is going to be huge. ” He added, “New Zealand is a top team and we expect them to be eager to come back strong after leading in the second half last week.”