Cheslin Kolbe scores a try. Photo: SA Rugby
BREAKING: Kolbe could be seen at flyhalf for Boks
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has confirmed that Cheslin Kolbe will officially cover flyhalf in this Saturday’s Test against Ireland.
Cheslin Kolbe scores a try. Photo: SA Rugby
Kolbe will play his first Test at fullback when he makes a return to the Springbok team for the first time since July in a settled team to face the top-ranked team in the world, Ireland, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.
Kolbe, whose last Test was in the Incoming Series against Wales, will start in an exciting back three with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi.
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Notably, though, the Boks have gone with a six-two forwards-to-backs split on the ‘bomb squad’ bench, with scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and fullback Willie le Roux the only two backs on the bench.
Although some might have thought one of those two players would be next in line to cover flyhalf should Damian Willemse get injured, it will in fact be Kolbe who takes on this responsibility.
“Cheslin has delivered star performances for his clubs in France at flyhalf, so he will slot in as a back-up flyhalf if necessary, while Faf is another option for us at No 10 as well,” Nienaber confirmed.
“Damian Willemse can also move to inside centre if we need cover there, while Damian de Allende can play outside centre and Willie fullback, and this allowed us for us to opt for a six-two split on the bench.”
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Meanwhile, on the injury front, Nienaber said Sbu Nkosi (wing) and Marco van Staden (flanker), who suffered rib injuries in the Bulls’ clash against the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday, would not join the squad and will not be replaced at this stage as there is sufficient cover in the touring group.
Kolbe forms a dynamic back three in the Boks team
15 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) – 20 caps, 50 pts (10t)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 10 pts (2t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 56 caps, 60 pts (12t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 45 pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 33 caps, 110 pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 23 caps, 19 pts (1t, 4c, 2p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 10 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 18 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 64 caps, 15 pts (3t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 71 caps, 35 pts (7t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 64 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 106 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 54 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 55 caps, 65 pts (13t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 67 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 52 caps, 55 pts (11t)
17 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 15 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (unattached) – 37 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 59 caps, 10 pts (2t)
20 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0 pts
21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 27 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 42 caps, 25 pts (5t)
23 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 79 caps, 65 pts (13t)
Springbok record against Ireland:
Played 26; Won 18; Lost 7; Drawn 1; Points for: 506, Points against: 380; Tries scored 69, Tries conceded 35; Highest score 38-0; Biggest win 38 points. Win % 69%.
Milestones:
- Siya Kolisi is the second most capped Springbok captain, having led the team in 41 Tests.
- Eben Etzebeth is the second most capped Springbok lock with 106 Tests.
- Etzebeth will equal Tendai Mtawarira and CJ van der Linde’s record of seven Test matches against Ireland.
Miscellaneous:
- The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 710.
- There are 211 caps in the backline with 499 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 315 caps.
- The average caps per player in the backline are 30, the forwards 62, while the players on the bench average 39.
- Wille le Roux will play in his 80th Test match. He has played 75 as fullback, trailing the most capped fullback Percy Montgomery by 12 Tests in the No 15 jersey.
