Damian Willemse will play his 50th Test for the Springboks against England at Ellis Park
Springbok outside backs Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will celebrate their 50th Test caps on Saturday as part of an experienced matchday 23 named by head coach Rassie Erasmus for the opening fixture of the inaugural Nations Championship.
Erasmus has opted for tried and tested combinations for the blockbuster clash against England. Flank Siya Kolisi is set to captain South Africa for the 72nd time in a Test match, returning to Ellis Park — which famously marked Kolisi’s very first game as international skipper against the English in 2018.
Test centurions Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth form part of an experienced pack . Completing the loose-forward trio alongside the captain are Jasper Wiese and the relentless Pieter-Steph du Toit, whilst Ruan Nortje wins the nod to partner Etzebeth in the middle row.
Up front, the 2025 World Rugby and SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, hooker Malcolm Marx, packs down in a powerful front row between destructive props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit.
