The milestone will make De Allende just the 10th South African to reach a century of Test appearances. This adds nother remarkable chapter to a career that has already established him as one of the most experienced midfielders in Springbok history.

His landmark appearance will come in the opening match of the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park, where the Springboks will renew their fierce rivalry with the All Blacks.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the Springboks. Photo: Johan Orton

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has selected an almost entirely different side from the one that secured a 17–10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the team in the absence of Siya Kolisi, while Ox Nche returns from injury. Eben Etzebeth and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are the only two players retained in the starting XV from the Argentina victory.

At halfback, Feinberg-Mngomezulu will partner Grant Williams, while Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse are named on the wings, with Damian Willemse at fullback.

At centre, De Allende will celebrate his 100th Test alongside his long-time midfield partner Jesse Kriel, giving the Springboks one of the most experienced centre combinations in international rugby.

Nche returns to join Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx in the front row. Etzebeth links up with Ruan Nortje in the second row, while Paul de Villiers, Du Toit and Jasper Wiese make up the loose trio.

Erasmus has again opted for Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp and Zachary Porthen as his replacement front row, while Cobus Wiese, Marco van Staden and André Esterhuizen provide further forward cover. Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok complete the replacements.

Erasmus said the selection was based on the combinations he believes will be best suited to handling the challenge posed by the All Blacks.

“The All Blacks are a quality team, and we selected combinations we think would be best suited for the challenge this weekend.” 

“The squad is well balanced with players who remained in South Africa to train for this series and some of the players who featured against Argentina.

“The whole group has now been together for over a week, and we are all aligned regarding the way we want to play this weekend.”

Erasmus was also delighted to see veteran centre De Allende reach the 100-Test milestone.

“We are all very excited for Damian, and to achieve this milestone in this series makes it even more special,” said Erasmus. “He’s a great team man and servant to the game, so we hope we can make it a memorable day for him.

Cheslin Kolbe. Photo: Johan Orton

“His focus all week has only been on this match, and he will certainly not let the occasion shadow what he has to do on the field.”

That focus will be vital as the Springboks prepare for another heavyweight encounter with New Zealand.

Saturday’s Test at Ellis Park kicks off at 17:10.

Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements – 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok

All Blacks – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Replacements – 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm