Photo Credit - Gallo Images
Springbok Coach Jaques Nienaber will announce the team to play in the first test against the British and Irish Lions today @ 13h30. During media sessions, it became apparent that the majority of the squad will be made up of the 2019 World Cup winning squad and we must not expect any surprises.
To Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber’s delight, he had his full complement of players back in camp on Monday.
Siya Kolisi (flank), Ox Nché (prop) and Makazole Mapimpi (wing) joined the squad in Cape Town following their mandatory COVID-19 self-isolation. The players, however, will have to undergo medical screening before being cleared to begin their return to play protocols.
The trio joined several other players who also reported for duty in Cape Town in the last few days after spending time in mandatory self-isolation, including Pollard, Dan du Preez (loose forward), Bongi Mbonambi and Scarra Ntubeni (both hookers), Frans Steyn (centre), Lood de Jager (lock) and Frans Malherbe (prop).
A final decision will be made on selection after the medical reports regarding the availability were received. Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick confirmed that the team announced today will be final and no late inclusions will be done.
On the captaincy, Stick said there are plenty of capable replacements for Siya Kolisi if he is not declared fit.
“We got players that can do the job. At the moment Siya will probably be our captain if he is cleared. If he is not cleared, we got a couple of guys that can take over from him”
Expected Springbok Team: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Sibusiso Nkosi, 10. Handré Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Jasper Wiese, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siya Kolisi (C), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Coenie Oosthuizen, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20. Albertus Smith, 21. Herschel Jantjies, 22. Jessie Kriel, 23. Damian Willemse.