South Africa captain Siya Kolisi during the South Africa Captain’s Run training session ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup pool B match against New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan on September 20, 2019. Photo by Tadashi Miyamoto / www.photosport.nz
Springbok Showdown: Preview, kick-off time and where to watch
Rugby’s return takes on an exciting new turn as the country’s best battle it out in the Springbok Showdown at Newlands on Saturday.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi during the South Africa Captain’s Run training session ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup pool B match against New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan on September 20, 2019. Photo by Tadashi Miyamoto / www.photosport.nz
Bok plays Bok on Saturday at Newlands, as the country’s best go up against each other in the first ever Springbok Showdown.
The rugby season kicked off in style last weekend with four of South Africa’s top franchises on display, and the action continues with this unique exhibition match, which promises to serve up some fireworks.
Green meets Gold
Green locks horns against Gold in this special fixture, which raises the curtain for the competitive part of the season, kicking off on 10 October.
With the international season on the horizon, the Springbok Showdown offers players an opportunity to raise hands for spots in the national team.
This means that the Bok regulars will look to cement their places, with fringe players aiming to raise their stock, having not gotten many chances to do so amid the lengthy layoff.
Youth meets experience
The two teams are a mix of youth and experience, with Rugby World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi among the veterans in the group.
The flanker will lead out the Green team, with centre Lukhanyo Am captaining the men in Gold.
Other experienced heads include Bulls eighthman Duane Vermeulen and Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who will both don the colour green on the day, along with two-time world cup winner Frans Steyn.
The Gold team does not boast nearly as much experience, with prop Steven Kitshoff the closest to 50 Test caps in the entire matchday 25, while Am and winger Courtnall Skosana have a combined 27 caps between them.
There is a host of uncapped players who could be looking to make their mark in the fixture, with the likes of Sharks scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba, Wandisile Simelane of the Lions, and Western Province’s Rikus Pretorius among the many players to look out for.
Springbok Showdown squads
Springbok Green (15-1): Gianni Lombard, Yaw Penxe, Wandisile Simelane, Frans Steyn, Malcolm Jaer, Elton Jantjies Sanele Nohamba, Duane Vermeulen, Arno Botha, Siya Kolisi (captain), Hyron Andrews, JD Schickerling, Luan de Bruin, Bongi Mbonambi,Ox Nche
Replacements: Schalk Erasmus, Kwenzo Blose, Thomas du Toit, JJ van der Mescht, Juarno Augustus, Junior Pokomela, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Jeremy Ward, Kade Wolhuter
Springbok Gold (15-1): Warrick Gelant, Rosko Specman, Lukhanyo Am (captain), Rikus Pretorius, Courtnall Skosan, Damian Willemse, Herschel Jantjies, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nizaam Carr, Marco van Staden, Marvin Orie, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Dreyer, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Dylan Smith, Carlü Sadie, Jason Jenkins, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Ivan van Zyl, Curwin Bosch, Werner Kok, Manuel Rass.
Kick-off and where to watch
The match kicks off at 17:05 (SAST) at Newlands. No spectators will be allowed in. You can watch it on Supersport as well as SkySports for those viewing from the United Kingdom.
