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Rugby: Kolisi vows to go for the kill on Saturday
The Bok skipper says his side will not be complacent.
Gavin Barker / BackpagePix
The third and final Test between the Springboks and England at Newlands spots a “dead rubber” tag on, and one would be forgiven for expecting the home side to approach it with a relaxed mentality but, according to captain, Siya Kolisi, his side will still give it their all.
Rassie Erasmus‘ men clinched the series in Bloemfontein, courtesy of a come-from-behind 23-12 victory, and go into the clash at Cape Town looking to inflict more pain on the struggling Poms, who will be looking to avoid a sixth straight defeat.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Kolisi said the Boks would not take Saturday’s encounter lightly.
“We’ve spoken about it as a team – there is no room for complacency, and we have plenty to play for,” he said.
Having had to claw their way back after falling behind early in the game on both previous encounters, the Bok skipper said will look to lift the standards and aim for improved performance.
“The team want to finish series properly and on a winning note,” Kolisi says.
“This is the last match for us for another two months (before the Rugby Championship), and we obviously have our team goals. There’s a couple of changes to the team, but that won’t impact on our approach or our tactics.”
The Boks have made five changes in their starting XV, with Schalk Brits making a long-awaited return to the green and gold, having been brought out of retirement by Erasmus.
In the opposite camp, England have also brought back an exile of their own, in the form of flyhalf, Danny Cipriani, who makes his first start for the side in ten years.
Watch: Itoje says some young Boks thought SA would never have a black captain
Teams: Springboks vs England
South Africa: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S’busiso Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, Beast Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.
England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (capt.), 11 Mike Brown, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler.
Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Jonny Hill, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Sam Simmonds, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Denny Solomona.
