Kolisi Overlooked by Springboks for First All Blacks Test

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been left out of the squad for the initial Test against New Zealand this Saturday at Ellis Park. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus opted for the less experienced Paul de Villiers in the matchday squad over Kolisi, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained on August 8 during the 17-10 victory over Argentina.

With three additional Tests against the All Blacks scheduled in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Baltimore, USA, Kolisi has not been rushed back into play.

Erasmus stated, "Siya trained well with us this week, and although we could have selected him for this clash, we thought it would be best to select Paul. We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks and Paul has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance this weekend in what will be his first Test match against New Zealand, while taking a precautionary approach to Siya's return. We have a solid group of players, and each one of them deserves their place in the squad, so we will approach team selection week by week."

Center Damian de Allende will achieve his 100th Test cap at Ellis Park, becoming the tenth player in South African rugby history to reach this milestone. Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and lock Eben Etzebeth are the only players to retain their starting positions from the win in Buenos Aires. Prop Ox Nche will start for the first time since the Nations Championship victory over England in July.

South Africa has won five of their last six Tests against New Zealand, including a record 43-10 victory over their rivals in Wellington last September.

"They are a quality team and they're very well coached, so we are preparing for an 80-minute grind," Erasmus added. "They have a well-rounded squad with physical forwards and an exciting backline, so we have to be sharp and accurate in our execution from the outset. Many of the matches between the sides have come down to the wire, so it's important that we use the chances we create and ensure that our discipline is on point. It's going to be a big battle, but the entire squad is excited about the match and looking forward to it."

South Africa starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), 8 Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.

Savea, Roigard, Jordan Start for New Zealand

Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard, and Will Jordan are all set to start for New Zealand in Saturday's first Test. Captain Savea, scrum-half Roigard, and record try-scoring winger Jordan will make their first appearances of this summer's tour of South Africa. Full-back Damian McKenzie also returns after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the warm-up victory against the Sharks in Durban.

Head coach Dave Rennie has combined experienced players with emerging talent. The 110-cap Savea and Codie Taylor will face the Springboks for the 18th and 17th times respectively, while Anton Segner and Josh Moorby will be making their debut appearances against South Africa.

"After all the build-up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first Test underway," Rennie said. "We have selected a balanced mix of big-match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first Test. The first three franchise games have exposed our newer players to the way South African teams play and have been fantastic in helping us build combinations and develop the game we want to play.

"We know the Test series will be a huge step up. We're well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear. They are No 1 in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday."

New Zealand starting XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Fabian Holland, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 7 Luke Jacobsen, 8 Ardie Savea (c).

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Leinert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.