South Africa vs New Zealand: Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard return as Springboks look to level Test series in Cape Town

25.08.2026, 14:24 skysports.com

Siya Kolisi is in line to return as captain with Handre Pollard in at fly-half for South Africa's must-win second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

The back-to-back reigning world champions surrendered top spot in the rankings to the All Blacks after Saturday's shock 33-16 defeat, their heaviest home loss to New Zealand.

The Springboks travel to Cape Town for the second instalment in the first four-Test series between the two sides in 50 years knowing only a victory will keep their hopes of winning alive.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has responded defeat in Johannesburg by making four changes to his starting XV and bringing five fresh faces onto the replacements bench.

Kolisi will start at flanker providing the hamstring issue which ruled him out of the first Test doesn't resurface during training. If he remains unfit, Paul de Villiers will retain his position at No 7.

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The Springboks coach highlighted Kolisi's value at the breakdown and in organising South Africa's defensive structure alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, areas he felt were lacking in the first Test.

"Paul played well on Saturday and there's no reason why we should keep him out, but Siya is our captain," Erasmus said.

All Blacks stun Springboks at Ellis Park

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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been dropped to the bench and Manie Libbok omitted from the matchday 23 as double World Cup winner Pollard forms a new half-back pairing with Cobus Reinach. Ethan Hooker replaces the injured Cheslin Kolbe on the wing.

"Handré has delivered for us under extreme pressure," Erasmus said of Pollard, who kicked South Africa to World Cup glory in 2019 and 2023.

The bench includes Deon Fourie, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Morne van den Berg. Fourie could become South Africa's oldest Test player at 39 if he features, surpassing Victor Matfield and Schalk Brits.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Siya Kolisi/Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

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