Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named an exciting, revamped side for Saturday’s clash against Georgia in Nelspruit – and it’s a selection brimming with promise, power, and purpose.
The headline grabber? Siya Kolisi is back. The iconic skipper will don the green and gold for the first time this season after recovering from injury, leading a team that features three uncapped front rowers hungry to make their mark at Mbombela Stadium.
Boan Venter (prop), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), and Neethling Fouché (prop) will all make their Test debuts in what Erasmus described as a “well-earned opportunity”.
Boan has shown great potential at club level and with the squad in the last few weeks, and we are looking forward to seeing him play,” said Erasmus.
Marnus and Neethling played against the Barbarians, so they have an idea of what international rugby is about.”
Kolisi returns to the loose trio alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese in a squad that sees just five starters retained from last week’s 45-0 thumping of Italy. It’s a blend of youth and experience, and a chance for Erasmus to fine-tune combinations ahead of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
Front Row Firsts
There’s no sugar-coating how massive this step is for Venter, Van der Merwe, and Fouché. All three have impressed in domestic and club rugby, and now step onto the international stage against a notoriously physical Georgian pack. With scrum-time expected to be a brutal battleground, Erasmus is confident they’re ready for the challenge.
Building squad depth has been one of our pillars since 2018,” he said. “These players have earned their spots. They are undoubtedly ready to make the step-up.”
Boks Rotate, But Firepower Remains
Despite the fresh faces, there’s no shortage of firepower. Eben Etzebeth, now sitting on a record 132 caps, will marshal the engine room next to Ruan Nortjé. In the backs, the in-form Edwill van der Merwe retains his place after a dazzling two-try performance last weekend, joining Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi in a back three oozing speed and flair.
Canan Moodie shifts to outside centre to pair up with veteran Damian de Allende in the midfield. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets a crack at flyhalf, partnered by Grant Williams at scrumhalf – a duo capable of creating chaos if given space.
Test Caps & Tactical Balance
Erasmus opted for a five-three bench split, with a wealth of experience in the forward reinforcements – including Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith. Faf de Klerk, Handré Pollard, and Damian Willemse will cover the backs.
This mix isn’t accidental. Erasmus knows Georgia won’t just roll over.
They’re a tough outfit. They pride themselves on physicality and brute force,” he warned. “Set pieces, mauls, and breakdowns will be key areas.”
The Bigger Picture
This is about more than just Georgia. With 46 players already rotated into matchday squads this season, Erasmus is clearly eyeing 2027 with squad depth front and centre. At the same time, he’s keen to keep the Boks’ high standards intact, even against lesser-ranked opponents.
We want to keep lifting our standards, build momentum, and get the desired result.”
Fast Facts
• Eben Etzebeth will extend his record to 133 caps – the most by a Springbok.
• Kolisi plays his first Test of the 2025 season, now just seven matches away from a century.
• Kurt-Lee Arendse is five points short of the 100-point mark in Test rugby.
• The average number of caps in the backline is 24, in the forwards 40 – showing a strong balance of youth and experience.
Kick-Off Info
🕔 17h10, Saturday
📺 Live on SuperSport
📍 Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
The Springboks are unbeaten in two previous encounters against Georgia – winning 46-19 in 2003 and 40-9 in 2021. While the stats favour the men in green and gold, don’t expect this to be a walkover. For Kolisi and company, this is another vital step in the long journey ahead.
