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Du Toit to captain Boks against All Blacks as Kolisi ruled out with hamstring injury

Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the Springboks against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday after Rassie Erasmus took a precautionary decision to rest Siya Kolisi, who is carrying a hamstring injury. It will be Du Toit's first Test as captain against New Zealand, with South Africa having won five of their last six meetings with the All Blacks.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the Springboks in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with Siya Kolisi sidelined as a precaution due to a hamstring injury.

Erasmus confirmed Kolisi trained normally during the week and is fit, but opted against risking him given the four-Test series ahead. It will be Du Toit's first Test captaincy against New Zealand.

"We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks and Pieter has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance this weekend in what will be his first Test match as captain against New Zealand, while taking a precautionary approach to Siya's return," Erasmus said.

Erasmus is bracing for a demanding contest. "They are a quality team and they're very well coached, so we are preparing for an 80-minute grind."

South Africa head into the match having won five of their last six Tests against New Zealand.

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