Kolisi leads power-packed Boks at Ellis Park

Rassie Erasmus has named a Springbok match-day squad loaded with Rugby World Cup pedigree for Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park — 18 world champions in all, captain Siya Kolisi starting at No 8.

The Boks have never lost to Australia at the Johannesburg fortress, and a win this weekend would make it five in a row against the men in gold — a feat last achieved more than half a century ago.

Siya Kolisi leads from an unfamiliar No 8 berth, joined by Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden in the loose trio. Eben Etzebeth plays his 134th Test, extending his record as the most capped Bok of all time and moving into joint-10th on the global list alongside Gethin Jenkins.

Damian de Allende’s absence through a back niggle sees Andre Esterhuizen partner Jesse Kriel in midfield, with Manie Libbok and Grant Williams running the show at halfback. The back three has Aphelele Fassi at fullback and the pace of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe out wide — the latter set for his first taste of the Wallabies.

Up front, Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw form the starting front row, with Lood de Jager locking alongside Etzebeth. Erasmus has gone 5-3 split on the bench, with Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith providing forward impact and Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie and Cobus Reinach covering the backs.

No 23: Special Springboks jersey finds its way back home

“We believe this team will allow us to play the type of rugby we want against Australia,” said Erasmus. “They’ll come out guns blazing, but we’re confident the players selected are up for the challenge.”

The Wallabies arrive off a gritty Lions series, buoyed by a 22-12 win in their last outing and determined to claim a first-ever Ellis Park victory. But with 725 caps in the starting XV, a two-week conditioning camp behind them, and a history of dominance at altitude, the Boks will expect to set the Championship tempo in front of a roaring home crowd.