Kolisi will also be making his first appearance in the green-and-gold this season, after being a late withdrawal from the Barbarians match in Cape Town at the end of June.

The two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain was initially set to lead the Boks against the invitational side, but had to pull out at the last minute due to injury.

Neethling Fouché, Siya Kolisi, Rassie Erasmus, Boan Venter, and Marnus van der Merwe. Photo: Springboks

On Saturday, former Cheetahs trio Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché will all make their Test debuts, having been named in the starting line-up as the front-row.

Kolisi believes the three have earned their call-ups and are well prepared, having tested themselves against the best in training.

“I’m really proud of the guys getting their first Test caps. As a group, we’ve got enough experience in the squad for them to know we’ve got their backs,” said Kolisi.

A warm welcome in Mpumalanga ??#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/x5Qckxu1hW

— Springboks (@Springboks) July 13, 2025

“They’ve been scrumming against players like Ox Nché, Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx, among others. Plus, they’ve got experienced players around them who’ve played at Test level.

“More than that, a scrum is about more than just the front-row. It takes the whole pack working together, and everyone knows their role.”

Reflecting on his own return to action, Kolisi said he’s excited to be back leading the team – especially in the Lowveld, which always brings a special atmosphere.

“I would’ve loved to have played in Cape Town, but just being back in camp and seeing all the guys again has done me a lot of good. The team environment really helps, both on and off the field.”  

Siya Kolisi. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s always fantastic to play here, the vibe at Mbombela is incredible. We’re expecting something similar to last week in Gqeberha, where the crowd really got behind us and gave us energy.

“We’re very grateful to everyone coming out to support us, the fans lift us and we appreciate it more than they know.”

Saturday’s clash between the Springboks and the Lelos kicks off at 17:10 at the Mbombela Stadium.

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter

Replacements – 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse

Georgia – 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Aka Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Sandro Todua, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Ilia Spanderashvili, 7 Beka Saginadze (captain), 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 5 Lado Chachanidze, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri, 2 Vano Karkadze, 1 Giorgi Akhaladze

Replacements – 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Demur Epremidze, 20 Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 21 Tornike Jalagonia, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg