ReportSpringboksBBC Sport Rugby · ESPN Rugby · Rugby365 +24 Jul· updated 5d ago

Kolisi and Etzebeth ruled out as Springboks host England in Nations Championship opener

South Africa face England at Ellis Park in Round One of the Nations Championship, with Kolisi and Etzebeth both ruled out through injury, Pieter-Steph du Toit taking the captaincy from the second row.

South Africa face England at Ellis Park in the opening round of the Nations Championship, with the Springboks forced into significant late changes to their matchday 23.

Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth have both withdrawn, bringing Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom into the starting XV. Pieter-Steph du Toit shifts to the second row and takes over the captaincy.

England have also been hit by a late change, with George Furbank ruled out through illness. Marcus Smith moves into the starting side, while Henry Slade is added to the replacements bench.

Sources

Tagged

Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus

Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.

ReportSpringboks

Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener

South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.

AnalysisSpringboks

Nations Championship Round 1: Boks set the benchmark, Japan turn heads

Louw's Nations Championship round-one review crowns the Boks as the weekend's benchmark-setters and flags Japan's Italy upset as the competition's first real surprise — while taking aim at the scheduling call that denies Japan a home fixture against Ireland.

ReportSpringboks

Erasmus admits Australia flashbacks at half-time as Boks' system absorbs Kolisi and Etzebeth withdrawals

Rassie Erasmus revealed that Australia flashbacks surfaced at half-time when England closed the gap to 17-14, before the Boks ran out 45-21 winners in their Nations Championship opener, with Kolisi and Etzebeth absences handled by a system Erasmus says is being deliberately stress-tested ahead of the World Cup.

ReportSpringboks

Erasmus warns Boks: England bring youth, experience and tactical unpredictability to Ellis Park

Rassie Erasmus has praised England's touring squad as young, experienced and tactically unpredictable ahead of the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on 4 July, while Siya Kolisi returns as captain for a fixture that marked his first Test captaincy in 2018.