Breaking rugby news: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi out of Barbarians clash, Jesse Kriel to lead hosts
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has withdrawn from the clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28 after picking up a slight injury, with experienced outside centre Jesse Kriel taking the reins as skipper.
Kolisi is replaced by Marco van Staden, who comes straight into the starting line-up at number six.
Sports News Blitz writer Aidan Leo reports on the breaking news.
Kolisi out, Kriel steps in
With inspirational leader Kolisi out of the match thanks to a small niggle, Kriel will be able to stake a claim for long-term vice-captaincy duties.
Should he lead the team successfully, it would help cement his status in Rassie Erasmus’ side ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Kriel has featured in 79 tests thus far for the Boks in a career spanning a decade.
READ MORE: Rugby union news: Springboks vs Barbarians – Rassie Erasmus backs rookies for BaaBaas clash
Van Staden grabs number six
In the absence of Kolisi, Van Staden comes straight in at number six.
Van Staden has deputised for Kolisi previously and will be expected to perform well despite the last-minute change.
The Bulls fetcher joins Vincent Tshituka and Jean-Luc du Preez in a formidable back row that is set to contend with an equally dynamic BaaBaas loose trio of captain Peter O’Mahony, Sam Cane, and Shannon Frizell.
Otherwise, the rest of the team remains unchanged for what should be a tremendous season opener.
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Springbok squad vs Barbarians
Revised starting XV:
15 Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 11 caps, 35 points (7 tries)
14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 40 caps, 111 points (18t, 3 conversions, 5 penalties)
13 Jesse Kriel (c) (Canon Eagles) – 79 caps, 90 points (18t)
12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 87 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 24 caps, 90 points (18t)
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 52 points (14c, 48p)
9 Morné van den Berg (Emirates Lions) – 2 caps, 0 points
8 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks) – 14 caps, 10 points (2t)
7 Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped
6 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 25 caps, 10 points (2t)
5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 25 points (5t)
4 Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 points
3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions) – uncapped
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 76 caps, 105 points (21t)
1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points
Replacements:
16 Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets) – uncapped
17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 5 points (1t)
18 Neethling Fouché (DHL Stormers) – uncapped
19 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 78 caps, 20 points (4t)
20 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 51 caps, 45 points (9t)
21 Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 39 caps, 70 pts (14t)
22 Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 19 caps, 98 pts (1t, 30c, 11p)
23 André Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 points
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