South Africa receive Siya Kolisi boost ahead of warm-up game against Wales
Siya Kolisi has overcome a serious knee injury
©PA
South Africa have received a major boost ahead of their Rugby World Cup title defence with skipper Siya Kolisi declared fit for the warm-up fixture against Wales to be played in Cardiff.
Kolisi overcame a serious knee injury which initially was believed to rule him out of the tournament but the 32-year-old now will get some game time before they head to the showpiece event much to the delight of head coach Jacques Nienaber.
His inclusion is one of the 11 changes made by Nienaber as he slots in the back row along with Pieter-Steph du Toit and number eight Jasper Wiese retains his spot from the previous game against Argentina.
Ox Nche will also be playing his first game this year after recovering from his injury and has been named among the replacements.
"Siya and Ox have been working extremely hard on their rehabilitation and it's fantastic that everything worked out according to plan to allow us to select them for this match," Nienaber said.
"They have two matches to build up their match fitness before the World Cup, and although it will be important to manage their load in the match, it's vital that they return to the field as they are key players in our set-up."
Manie Libbok will continue with the kicking responsibility and will have Jaden Hendrikse at scrum-half with Jean Kleyn retaining his place at second row joined by RG Snyman.
Malcolm Marx will have props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe in the front row while Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende form the midfield combination. Cheslin Kolbe returns at left wing with Canan Moodie at right while Willie le Roux is slotted at fullback.
Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden and Duane Vermeulen will provide impact from the bench along with Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert and Damian Willemse.
South Africa XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Reserves: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse
