Kolisi Leads Springboks With Three Debutants Against Georgia

The Springboks will face Georgia with a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, as captain Siya Kolisi returns from injury to lead the side for the first time this season. Coach Rassie Erasmus has named three debutants in the front row—props Boan Venter and Neethling Fouché, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe—bringing the total number of new caps this season to seven as part of a strategy to build squad depth. Kolisi will join a loose forward trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese, who moves to number eight replacing his suspended brother Jasper Wiese. The squad includes 15 World Cup winners, with only five starters retained from the previous 45-0 victory over Italy. Erasmus emphasized the importance of giving game time to both veterans and newcomers ahead of the upcoming Rugby Championship, while acknowledging the challenge posed by the physical Georgian team. The match will be the final test before the Springboks defend their title in the Rugby Championship.