Springbok Rugby World Cup captain Siya Kolisi – as well as Ox Nche and Jaden Hendrikse – will make their first Test appearances of the year on Saturday when the team lines up against Wales in their second World Cup warm-up match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Kolisi and Nche make their return from injury while Hendrikse makes his first appearance following a family bereavement.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named an experienced combination as he looked to start building momentum and cohesiveness within his squad for the tournament, which kicks off in France on Friday 8 September.

Nienaber made 11 changes to the starting team that defeated Argentina 24-13 in Buenos Aires two weekends ago, with the big inclusions being the return of Kolisi (flanker) and Nche (prop) from knee and pectoral muscle injuries respectively, and the inclusion of Hendrikse (scrumhalf).

The team features the reuniting of Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both props) and Malcolm Marx (hooker) for the second time this season, while the Muster lock duo of Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman will start together in Springbok jerseys for the first time.

The loose trio also has a new look to it, with Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit partnering up with Jasper Wiese in the other changes in the forward pack – reforming a combination that last appeared together against Ireland in November.

A message from the #Springboks as they start their #RWC2023 mission in Cardiff this week 🇿🇦#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/krF2K3aRd0

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 13, 2023

In the backline Hendrikse will take the field alongside regular flyhalf Manie Libbok, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel being rejoined in a midfield combination. Cheslin Kolbe comes in on the left wing where he will form an exciting back three with veteran fullback Willie le Roux and right wing Canan Moodie.

Nienaber opted for a six-two split in favour of forwards on the bench, where Nche and Vincent Koch will provide cover at prop and Bongi Mbonambi – who captained the team in the last Test against Argentina – at hooker, while the physical trio of Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden and Duane Vermeulen will also be ready to make an impact off the bench.

The two backs among the replacements are Grant Williams, who can provide cover at scrumhalf and wing, and Damian Willemse, who can slot in at flyhalf, centre and fullback.

“We have two Tests left before we begin our Rugby World Cup campaign and our focus now is to start building momentum and continuity so that we can peak at the right time for our opening game against Scotland in just under four weeks,” said Nienaber.

The coach was excited to welcome back Kolisi and Nche from injury.

“Siya and Ox have been working extremely hard on their rehabilitation over the course of several weeks, and it’s fantastic that everything worked out according to plan to allow us to select them for this match. They have two matches to build up their match fitness before the World Cup, and although it will be important to manage their load in the match, it’s vital that they return to the field as they are key players in our set-up,”  Nienaber remarked.

Springbok team to face Wales in Cardiff:

15 – Willie le Roux (Bulls) – 86 caps, 65 pts (13T)

14 – Canan Moodie (Bulls) – 6 caps, 10 pts (2T)

13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 61 caps, 60 pts (12T)

12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 72 caps, 50 pts (10T)

11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 25 caps, 81 pts (12T, 3C, 5P)

10 – Manie Libbok (Stormers) – 7 caps, 45 pts (1T, 11C, 6P)

9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks) – 12 caps, 12 pts (2T, 1C)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1T)

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 69 caps, 30 pts (6T)

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain – Sharks) – 75 caps, 45 pts (9T)

5 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 26 caps, 5 pts (1T)

4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 2 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)

3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers) – 61 caps, 5 pts (1T)

2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 61 caps, 75 pts (15T)

1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 74 caps, 10 pts (T)

Replacements:

16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks) – 60 caps, 60 pts (12T)

17 – Ox Nche (Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 pts

18 – Vincent Koch (Sharks) – 45 caps, 0 pts

19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 65 caps, 15 pts (3T)

20 – Marco van Staden (Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 pts

21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 68 caps, 15 pts (3T)

22 – Grant Williams (Sharks) – 4 caps, 0 pts

23 – Damian Willemse (Stormers) – 31 caps, 36 pts 36 (2T, 4C, 4P, 2D)

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