Kolbe’s return the one change for the Boks
Dynamic Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe has returned from injury and will start in tomorrow night’s Rugby World Cup final against England in Yokohama.
Kolbe, who dazzled against the All Blacks with his shifty feet and electric acceleration in their pool B clash last month, missed last week’s semifinal win against Wales with an ankle injury and was replaced by S’bu Nkosi.
The return of the Kolbe is the only change from the side coach Rassie Erasmus entrusted to knock over Wales in their semifinal last weekend.
Kolbe is comfortably Erasmus’ most dangerous weapon, which was again proven when he ran in two tries in their group stage win against Italy last month.
Erasmus’ match day 23 features a 6-2 forwards-backs split on the bench for the much anticipated clash, a clear sign he is bracing for a brutal contest up front against England’s beefy pack.
Captain and outstanding loose forward Siya Kolisi will earn his 50th test cap for South Africa in the decider.
England’s starting XV is unchanged from the side that
South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherb, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, RG Synman, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Francois Steyn.
England: Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (c), Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje, Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Reserves: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Ben Spencer, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph.
beat the All Blacks with captain Owen Farrell again starting outside first five-eighth George Ford.
Missing from England’s final squad is Kiwi-born halfback and former Crusader Willi Heinz. He was ruled out of the tournament
after suffering a hamstring injury in England’s 19-7 semifinal victory over the All Blacks.
Heinz’s replacement, Ben Spencer who comes onto the bench, is the only change to Eddie Jones’ 23-man squad for the final.