Kolisi’s niggle means Kriel will captain Boks for Barbarians clash

Springbok centre Jesse Kriel will captain South Africa for the first time when they take on the Barbarians at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday in the Qatar Airways Cup.

Coach Rassie Erasmus was forced into a late change on Friday after Siya Kolisi withdrew from the squad due to a minor injury concern. Marco van Staden comes straight into the starting line-up in Kolisi’s place and joins Vincent Tshituka and Jean-Luc du Preez in the loose trio.

One can understand the Bok coach's reasoning: why risk his skipper's long-term fitness especally since Erasmus has made no secret of his concerns over an aging core. Back in 2024 already, he began rotating the squad more aggressively and integrating fresh faces to build depth and long-term capacity.

Wrapping Kolisi in cottonwool now could have a massive impact down the line. And by the way, having another player in the group with leadership experience at 'Test' level will be another serious advantage.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 5.10pm and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok starting XV to face the Barbarians (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel (captain), Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Jean-Luc du Preez, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Staden, Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche. Bench (16-23): Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Neethling Fouche, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen