Sport: Rugby Country: England Category: Scores & Results

Erasmus omits Kolisi as Springboks face All Blacks at Ellis Park

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 4:39 PM

Last updated Aug 20, 2026

Erasmus omits Kolisi as Springboks face All Blacks at Ellis Park

Summary

Rassie Erasmus has chosen to leave out Siya Kolisi for the first test against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday. Kolisi, limited by injuries, trained well but is replaced by Paul de Villiers. Both coaches emphasize the critical nature of winning this opening match in the four-test series, with history indicating that losing the first test significantly reduces series chances. New Zealand is viewed as the underdog, aiming to capitalize on South Africa's perceived rust. The Springboks' Damian de Allende will earn his 100th cap, while New Zealand finalizes its lineup amid some injury concerns.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Siya Kolisi omitted for first test due to recent injuries.
•Paul de Villiers starts for South Africa in his absence.
•Winning first test is critical in the four-match series.
•New Zealand aims to leverage South Africa's early rustiness.
•Damian de Allende reaches 100 test caps for the Springboks.

Latest Updates

4:39 PMYahoo Sports — Erasmus sits Kolisi and picks Springboks-All Blacks series to go the distance

What they're saying

"
Opposing coaches Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie understated the importance of winning the first test this weekend for South Africa or New Zealand to ultimately capture their hyped four-match series. Only once has either team taken a series after losing the first test; the 1937 Springboks under Philip Nel did it in New Zealand by demoralizing the All Blacks' scrum. The speculation in 2026 is underdog New Zealand's best chances of pinching a test are the first this Saturday at Ellis Park while the Boks supposedly have a veneer of rust, and the fourth test on neutral ground in Baltimore.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Rugby