Captain fantastic Siya Kolisi will reach a colossal milestone when he leads the Springboks for the 50th time in their must-win Rugby World Cup Pool B clash against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday.
The encounter will also see the long-awaited return of seasoned flyhalf Handre Pollard, who will be playing his first Test since August 2022 due to a calf injury.
Pollard will be expected to take over the kicking duties from Manie Libbok, as it has been an area of concern for the reigning champions since the start of the tournament.
Boks coach Jacques Nienaber made a total of 12 changes from the team that succumbed to a frustrating 13-8 defeat to number-one ranked Ireland in Paris at the weekend.
Kolisi, alongside Eben Etzebeth and Jasper Wiese have been retained in the forward position, with Marco van Staden set to wear the number 16 jersey as replacement hooker for the first time.
Makazole Mapimpi and Grant Williams will continue to patrol the wings as they did against Romania.
“This is a strong and physical team, which is exactly what need against a side like Tonga that plays with passion and force,” Nienaber told SA rugby media.
“Each one of us understands the importance of this match with an eye on qualifying for the quarter-final, so accurate execution, physicality and doing our basics right will be vital to get the desired result.
“They [Tonga] will enter with the mindset that they have nothing to lose after going down in their opening two matches of the tournament, so they won’t hold back.”
The outcome of the match will be crucial for the Springboks, as it will determine which two teams from Pool B will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament and ultimately find out who they will meet in the top-eight playoff.
Springbok team vs Tonga in Marseille:
Willie le Roux; Grant Williams; Canan Moodie; Andre Esterhuizen; Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard; Cobus Reinach; Jasper Wiese; Duane Vermeulen; Siya Kolisi; Marvin Orie; Eben Etzebeth; Vincent Koch; Deon Fourie; Ox Nche
Replacements:
Marco van Staden; Steven Kitshoff; Trevor Nyakane; Franco Mostert; Kwagga Smith; Jaden Hendrikse; Jesse Kriel; Manie Libbok
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