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Jesse Kriel gets nod as Springboks lose huge star ahead of Barbarians
By Ian Cameron
Jesse Kriel will captain South Africa for the first time when the Springboks face the Barbarians in the Qatar Airways Cup at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, after Siya Kolisi was ruled out with a minor injury.
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Kolisi, who had been named to lead the side earlier in the week, was withdrawn on Friday. Marco van Staden has been promoted from outside the matchday squad to start at openside flanker. He joins Vincent Tshituka and Jean-Luc du Preez in the back row.
Kriel, who made his debut for the Springboks in 2015, will earn his 80th cap on Saturday. The Canon Eagles centre takes on the captaincy for the first time in his international career.
The rest of Rassie Erasmus’ matchday 23 remains unchanged from the side announced on Tuesday.
The fixture marks the first time the Barbarians will face the Springboks on South African soil. Peter O’Mahony will lead a star-studded invitational side featuring six All Blacks, three France internationals and two Irish centurions. The match will also be the final professional appearances for both O’Mahony and Irish prop Cian Healy.
Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans has selected a mix of experience and youth. His 23 includes Sam Cane, Camille Chat, Melvyn Jaminet and Mark Telea.
Former Wallabies playmaker Christian Leali’ifano has been ruled out of the trip late.
Springboks team to play Barbarians:
15. Aphelele Fassi
14. Cheslin Kolbe
13. Jesse Kriel (captain)
12. Damian de Allende
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9. Morne van den Berg
8. Jean-Luc du Preez
7. Vincent Tshituka
6. Marco van Staden
5. Lood de Jager
4. Jean Kleyn
3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Ox Nche
Replacements:
16. Marnus van der Merwe
17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels
18. Neethling Fouche
19. Franco Mostert
20. Kwagga Smith
21. Cobus Reinach
22. Manie Libbok
23. Andre Esterhuizen
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