Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has been left out of the South Africa side for the first Test against New Zealand in Johannesburg. Kolisi had been recovering from a hamstring injury and trained this week, but Paul de Villiers has been chosen in the back row instead.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus explained that while Kolisi trained well, the decision was made to select Paul de Villiers for the game, taking a “precautionary approach to Siya’s return.” Erasmus noted that they are playing four Tests against the All Blacks.
Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the side. Other selections include Ox Nche starting at loosehead prop and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly half. Centre Damian de Allende is set to earn his 100th cap.
The match in Johannesburg is the first of four Tests between the Springboks and All Blacks as part of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, which concludes with a match in Baltimore on 12 September.