For the first time in four years South Africa will take an unchanged squad into back‑to‑back tests when Siya Kolisi leads the Springboks out for their Rugby World Cup opener against defending champion New Zealand.
Kolisi is set to add strength to the squad that held New Zealand to a 16‑16 draw en route to the Rugby Championship title last month — the 22 other players have been involved in four test matches together this season.
South Africa officials said the last time the Springboks named an unchanged 23 was 51 matches ago — against New Zealand in the 2015 Rugby World Cup semifinals.
The same combination had beaten Wales 23‑19 in the quarterfinals.
No. 8 Duane Vermeulen will be appearing in his 50th test.
South Africa and New Zealand have met four times at the Rugby World Cup, with two wins each.
The Rugby World cup kicks-off tomorrow with hosts Japan taking on Russia at 10.45 pm.
Fiji play the Wallabies at 4.45pm this Saturday.
France and Argentina face off at 7.15 pm Saturday while the All Blacks and Springboks clash at 9.45 pm Saturday.
On Sunday, Italy and Namibia play at 5.15 pm, Ireland and Scotland face off at 7.45 pm Sunday while England clash with Tonga at 10.15 pm Sunday.
South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter‑Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff.
Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn, Jesse Kriel.
TVNZ
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