Rassie Erasmus’s starting team against England is the most culturally inclusive in the history of Springbok rugby. 

Erasmus, in his first two Test selections, has been true to his much publicised view that transformation is non negotiable when it comes to national selection.

Erasmus blooded 13 new caps in last week’s Test against Wales and on Saturday against England another three players will make their international debuts.

Bulls lock RG Snyman, Lions winger Aphiwe Dyantyi and Sharks winger S’busiso Nkosi are the latest to the Springbok club.

Springbok strong man and ASICS ambassador Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira will play his 99th Test.

Erasmus praised the passion, desire and form of Mtawarira and also spoke with enthusiasm about the new wing duo.

‘Both young wingers have been excellent in Super Rugby. They’ve played with consistency and with X-factor and both have proven track records as finishers. You want your back three to be able to break open a game and the two youngsters (Nkosi and Dyantyi), with the more experienced Willie le Roux at fullback, gives us a lot of attacking options. And then we have the wonderful attacking game of Warrick Gelant to introduce for impact,’ said Erasmus.

Beast is also playing some of the best rugby of his career. His enthusiasm is that of a kid who is about to play his first Test. It’s the type of energy and presence that is crucial to any Test team.

Siya Kolisi will captain the Springboks for the first time. He is South Africa’s 61st Test captain and the first black player to captain South Africa in a Test match. 

The Springboks have a 75 percent win record at Ellis Park and have won two of three Tests played against England at the venue.


The Springboks have lost seven of their 28 Tests at Ellis Park, and of those seven defeats, four have been against the All Blacks.

South Africa has won 9 and drawn 1 of the 13 Tests against England in South Africa and the last time England toured South Africa the Springboks won two Tests and drew one.

South Africa’s average score against England in South Africa is 28-16 and in the historically the average score of a Test between the two favours South Africa 21-17.

The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 320. There are 107 caps in the backline with 213 caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 87 caps 

The average caps per player in the backline are 15, the forwards 27 while the players on the bench average 11

The average age of the starting XV is 25

Teams:

South Africa 

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane/Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw/Thomas du Toit, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Warrick Gelant