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Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead the Springboks into the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus backing the veteran flanker to set the tone against the All Blacks in what promises to be a defining series opener.
Du Toit Named Captain for Ellis Park
Du Toit's appointment to the armband is no surprise to anyone who has watched him operate in the Bok environment. The Stellenbosch man brings two World Cup-winner's medals and a mountain of Test experience to the captaincy. With Siya Kolisi ruled out of Saturday's clash, Erasmus needed someone who could carry the emotional and tactical weight of the occasion without missing a beat. Du Toit is that man.
Alongside him, Damian de Allende reaches a milestone that very few players in green and gold ever touch. The centre earns his 100th Test cap on Saturday — a century in the Springbok jersey that speaks to a level of consistency few midfielders in world rugby have matched. De Allende, also a two-time World Cup winner, brings exactly the kind of experienced ball-carrier the Boks need when the series kicks off at Ellis Park.
High Stakes Test Against New Zealand
Erasmus has been clear-eyed about the stakes. Speaking to the media ahead of the match, the Springbok coach acknowledged that a strong start at Ellis Park is vital, while insisting the series will not be decided on Saturday alone. That measured approach is the hallmark of a coaching team that knows how to manage a campaign. For more on the injury concerns heading into this series, read our breakdown of Kolisi and Nché's availability for the All Blacks opener.