Kolisi has been battling a hamstring injury and while coach Rassie Erasmus says he was fit to play, has selected the inexperienced Paul de Villiers ahead of him.
"Siya trained well with us this week, and although we could have selected him for this clash, we thought it would be best to select Paul for this weekend’s game," Erasmus said.
“We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks and Paul has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance this weekend in what will be his first Test match against New Zealand, while taking a precautionary approach to Siya’s return.
“We have a solid group of players, and each one of them deserves their places in the squad, so we will approach team selection week by week.”
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been chosen at flyhalf ahead of Manie Libbok, who is on the bench, and the experienced Handre Pollard. Scrumhalf Grant Williams starts to complete the half-back pairing.
Inside centre Damian de Allende becomes the 10th Springbok to reach 100 test caps as he starts alongside Jesse Kriel, with wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe making up the back three with Damian Willemse.
“We are all very excited for Damian, and to achieve this milestone in this series makes it even more special,” said Erasmus.
“He’s a great team man, and servant to the game, so we hope we can make it a memorable day for him. That said, his focus all week has only been on this match, and he will certainly not let the occasion shadow what he has to do on the field.”
The All Blacks are embarking upon their first full tour of South Africa since 1996! Marketed as the 'Greatest Rivalry' series, the winner will come out not only with the bragging rights but World Rugby's number one ranking. Keep up to date throughout August and September with news, previews and more.
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Malcolm Marx gets the nod at hooker with Nche and Wilco Louw also in the front row, while Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje are the lock pairing. De Villiers and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will captain the side, are at flank and Jasper Wiese at number eight.
Saturday’s test is the first of four on successive Saturdays as part of ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series and is followed by clashes in Cape Town, Johannesburg again and then Baltimore in the U.S.
The Springboks have won five of their last six tests against the All Blacks, including inflicting a record 43-10 defeat on their great rivals last time they met in Wellington.
“Many of the matches between the sides have come down to the wire, so it’s important that we use the chances we create and ensure that our discipline is on point. It’s going to be a big battle, but the entire squad is excited about the match and are looking forward to it,” Erasmus said.
Team: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Cheslin Kolbe, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10-Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9-Grant Williams, 8-Jasper Wiese, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6-Paul de Villiers, 5-Ruan Nortje, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Wilco Louw, 2-Malcolm Marx, 1-Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16-Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17-Gerhard Steenekamp, 18-Zachary Porthen, 19-Cobus Wiese, 20-Andre Esterhuizen, 21-Marco van Staden, 22-Cobus Reinach, 23-Manie Libbok.