South Africa: Siya Kolisi Back to Lead New-Look Boks Against Georgia As Rassie Continues to Grow Depth

15 July 2025
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)

Springbok flank Siya Kolisi will play his first Test of 2025 when he captains the side against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday.

It's an indication of the Springboks' depth that despite naming three uncapped players for Saturday's clash against Georgia, the squad still boasts more than 900 Test caps.

Captain Siya Kolisi returns with his 92 Test caps to bolster the stats, while there is a start for Cobus Wiese at No 8, which looks like the most interesting experiment in coach Rassie Erasmus' latest lineup.

In all, the Bok starting XV, which includes an entirely uncapped front row of Boan Venter at loosehead, hooker Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché at tighthead, has 484 Test caps.

Venter has impressed for Edinburgh this year, and Van der Merwe was one of the best players in a competitive Scarlets team during the United Rugby Championship.

Their selection also highlights the excellent decision by the South African Rugby Union to allow the Bok coach to select overseas-based players. Eight of these 23 are registered to foreign clubs.

The impressive Test cap number is bolstered by the return of lock Eben Etzebeth, who will earn his 133rd cap, while centre Damian de...

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