Damian de Allende set for 100th Springbok Test
Damian de Allende will win his 100th Springbok cap as South Africa name their team to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
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Springbok centre Damian de Allende is set to reach a major milestone when South Africa face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday, becoming the 10th player in Springbok history to earn 100 Test caps.
Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the side for the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Damian de Allende reaches 100 Test caps
De Allende will start alongside Jesse Kriel in midfield as the experienced centre completes his Test century. The pair form one of South Africa’s most established midfield combinations, while Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse make up the back three.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu retains the flyhalf jersey after the 17-10 win over Argentina and will partner Grant Williams at halfback.
Springboks team named for All Blacks clash
Ox Nche returns to the starting front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw. Eben Etzebeth keeps his place at lock and partners Ruan Nortje, while Paul de Villiers, Du Toit and Jasper Wiese form the loose trio.
Etzebeth and Feinberg-Mngomezulu are the only players retained in the starting XV from the victory in Buenos Aires, although several players from that match have been included among the replacements.
Siya Kolisi omitted as Erasmus manages squad
Regular captain Siya Kolisi has not been selected for the opening Test, with Rassie Erasmus opting for Paul de Villiers and taking a cautious approach to Kolisi’s return.
The Springboks expect another physical contest against New Zealand, with Erasmus stressing the importance of discipline, accuracy and taking scoring opportunities in a rivalry that has repeatedly produced close finishes.
South Africa 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, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Reserves: 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
