BREAKING: Kolisi BACK from injury for Wales World Cup warm-up

Kolisi injured his left knee in April and has been in intensive rehabilitation to be declared fit enough to form part of the Springboks’ World Cup squad.

After recently returning to full training, the Springbok captain has now been named in the Springboks’ matchday squad for this Saturday’s encounter against Wales in Cardiff. Kick off is at 4.15pm SA time.

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Kolisi – as well as Ox Nche and Jaden Hendrikse – will make their first Test appearances of the year, with Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber naming an experienced combination as he looked to start building momentum and cohesiveness within his squad for the tournament, which kicks off in France on Friday 8 September.

Nienaber made 11 changes to the starting team that defeated Argentina 24-13 in Buenos Aires two weekends ago, with the big inclusions being the return of Kolisi (flanker) and Nche (prop) from knee and pectoral muscle injuries respectively, and the inclusion of Hendrikse (scrumhalf).

The team features the reuniting of Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both props) and Malcolm Marx (hooker) for the second time this season, while the Muster lock duo of Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman will start together in Springbok jerseys for the first time.

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The loose trio also has a new look to it, with Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit partnering up with Jasper Wiese in the other changes in the forward pack – reforming a combination that last appeared together against Ireland in November.

In the backline Hendrikse will take the field alongside regular flyhalf Manie Libbok, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel being rejoined in a midfield combination. Cheslin Kolbe comes in on the left wing where he will form an exciting back three with veteran fullback Willie le Roux and right wing Canan Moodie.

Nienaber opted for a six-two split in favour of forwards on the bench, where Nche and Vincent Koch will provide cover at prop and Bongi Mbonambi – who captained the team in the last Test against Argentina – at hooker, while the physical trio of Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden and Duane Vermeulen will also be ready to make an impact off the bench.

The two backs among the replacements are Grant Williams, who can provide cover at scrumhalf and wing, and Damian Willemse, who can slot in at flyhalf, centre and fullback.

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KOLISI WILL START IN THE SPRINGBOK TEAM TO FACE WALES IN CARDIFF:

15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 86 caps, 65 pts (13T)
14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps, 10 pts (2T)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 61 caps, 60 pts (12T)
12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 72 caps, 50 pts (10T)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 25 caps, 81 pts (12T, 3C, 5P)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 7 caps, 45 pts (1T, 11C, 6P)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 12 caps, 12 pts (2T, 1C)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1T)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 69 caps, 30 pts (6T)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain – Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 75 caps, 45 pts (9T)
5 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 26 caps, 5 pts (1T)
4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 2 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 61 caps, 5 pts (1T)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 61 caps, 75 pts (15T)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 74 caps, 10 pts (T)

Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 60 caps, 60 pts (12T)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 45 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 65 caps, 15 pts (3T)
20 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 pts
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 68 caps, 15 pts (3T)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 4 caps, 0 pts
23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 31 caps, 36 pts 36 (2T, 4C, 4P, 2D)

Springbok record against Wales

Played 40; Won 32; Lost 7; Drawn 1; Points for: 1 019; Points against; 642; Tries scored: 118; Tries conceded: 53; Highest score: 96-13; Biggest win: 83 points. Win % 80%.

Milestones:

• Manie Libbok requires five more points to reach 50 Test points.
• Damian Willemse is only 14 points short of earning 50 points for the Springboks.
• Siya Kolisi needs to score one more try to reach 10 Test tries and 50 points.
• The Munster duo of Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman will start as a combination for the Springboks for the first time against Wales.

Miscellaneous:

• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 664.
• There are 269 caps in the backline, with 395 caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 304 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 38, the forwards 49, while the players on the bench average 38.