Ellis Park – The Springboks have been dealt a major setback ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against England at Ellis Park, with captain Siya Kolisi and veteran lock Eben Etzebeth reportedly ruled out of the eagerly anticipated Test.
Kolisi suffered an injury in Friday’s captain’s run, while Etzebeth didn’t train fully this week.
Squad update: Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth have been forced to withdraw from the match-23. Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom will start, with Ben-Jason Dixon drafted onto the bench. Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the team 🔄
Follow the action live in our match centre:… pic.twitter.com/IrVYaKiY6j
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 4, 2026
The late withdrawals have forced the world champions into a significant reshuffle only hours before kick-off, leaving coach Rassie Erasmus to redraw his forward pack for one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
Uncapped loose forward Paul de Villiers will make his Test debut at openside flank. Should the selection be confirmed, the 23-year-old will be thrown straight into one of rugby’s fiercest arenas against a fired-up England side.
The changes are also expected to see two-time World Cup winner Pieter-Steph du Toit not only shifting into the second row, but also taking over the captaincy. His trademark physicality and relentless engine will add steel to the Bok engine room.
Cameron Hanekom comes into the starting line-up at blindside flank after initially being named among the replacements. Ben-Jason Dixon will provide cover at lock and flank from the bench.
Kolisi’s absence robs South Africa of its inspirational captain and emotional heartbeat, while Etzebeth’s withdrawal removes one of the most formidable enforcers in world rugby. Together, the pair boast well over 250 Test caps, making their absence impossible to ignore.
The Springboks, however, have built a reputation for producing players ready to answer rugby’s toughest examinations. Saturday now offers another opportunity for fresh faces to write their own chapter in green and gold.
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Cameron Hanekom, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph Du Toit (captain), 3 Thomas Du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.
England: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 George Martin, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie,17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Henry Slade.
