Siya Kolisi returns as Springboks captain for clash against Georgia

CapeTalk and 702's Africa Melane speaks to Rugby365 Editor Jan De Koning.

Listen below: 

The Springboks will take on Georgia at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, 19 July, with kickoff scheduled for 5:10 pm in the final match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series.

Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche are set to earn their Springbok debuts, while double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi makes his much-anticipated return from injury. Kolisi will resume the captaincy for the first time this season.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has made sweeping changes to the lineup, retaining only five starters from last week’s 45-0 win over Italy in Gqeberha. Just eight players from that matchday 23 return for this clash, underlining Erasmus’ strategy of rotation and squad depth-building.

Kolisi and Venter’s inclusion expands the total number of players used by Erasmus this season to 46. The matchday squad also boasts 15 Rugby World Cup winners, a testament to the depth of experience at his disposal.

Erasmus has opted for a 5-3 split on the bench in favour of the forwards. The powerful front-row trio of Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, and Bongi Mbonambi will be on standby, supported by RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith. Backline cover will come from seasoned campaigners Faf de Klerk, Handré Pollard, and the versatile Damian Willemse.

The Springboks have won their last two encounters against Georgia, with their most recent victory coming in 2021 ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour.

De Koning commends Erasmus for his tactical foresight in preparing the team for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. 

"Siya always has an impact on the game. The important thing is Rassie is busy building a squad... the rest of the world can only look on in envy at the depth of what Rassie is building. When we get to the next World Cup in Australia in 2027, I feel that we'll almost certainly have three teams of equal strength..."

- Jan de Koning, Editor - Rugby365

"The team that's playing Georgia is closer to what most people will regard as our best team, but two weeks after this match, we play Australia in the first Test of the Rugby Championships. So, the team forming will play in the rugby champs and building toward that Test at Eden Park in Auckland... for me that's the decider of the Rugby Championship."

- Jan de Koning, Editor - Rugby365

Rassie also spoke about the match against Georgia on Saturday. Watch below: 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.