Rugby World Cup-winning captain, Siya Kolisi, will make his welcoming return to the team, after he missed three matches due to an injury.
Kollisi is one of the ten changes made by coach Rassie Erasmus, when he announced the team that will face Georgia for the final Castle Lager Incoming Series match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.
The other changes include Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche, who will all make their Springbok debuts.
The team features only five players who started last week, and eight in total from the match-23 that defeated Italy 45-0 in Gqeberha.
The five players who retained their places in the starting lineup are
Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Grant Williams Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Ruan Nortje retained their places in the starting lineup.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Conus Wiese have been promoted from the bench to starting team.
Erasmus said he has confidence in the team selected to face Georgia.
“We know how passionate and intense this Georgian side is, and they will be determined to make a strong statement.
So, we selected some experienced players who we would like to get more game time before the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and a few of the younger players, who have put up their hands another run, so we are pleased with the balance we have in this group,” said Erasmus.
The coach said he was attempted to play Kolisi in front of his home crowd in Gqeberha last weekend but was not satisfied with his condition.
“We wanted to make sure that Siya is 100% fit before selecting him, so it’s great to have him back in the squad,” explained Erasmus.
The coach emphasised that despite beating Georgia twice in the past, they would not underestimate them.
