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Kriel to captain Springboks against Barbarians as Kolisi withdraws

Kriel to captain Springboks against Barbarians as Kolisi withdraws

News2427-06-2025
Centre Jesse Kriel has been handed the Springbok captaincy for Saturday's match against the Barbarians in Cape Town after regular skipper Siya Kolisi pulled out due to an injury.
READ | Marnus van der Merwe: The Springbok bolter whose life has changed overnight
Marco van Staden, who was not part of the initial match-day squad, has been drafted straight into the Bok starting XV to take the No 6 jersey from Kolisi.
The extent of Kolisi's injury is uncertain, with an SA Rugby statement on Friday morning simply stating that he had a "niggle'.
This will be the first time that Kriel captains the Springboks.
The 31-year-old made his debut in 2015 and has played 79 Tests.
Saturday's match at Cape Town Stadium kicks off at 17:10.
Teams:
Springboks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Vincent Tshituka (uncapped), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (uncapped), 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Marnus van der Merwe (uncapped), 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Neethling Fouche (uncapped), 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen
Barbarians
15 Melvyn Jaminet (Toulon), 14 Mark Telea (Blues), 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku (Toulon), 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes), 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders), 10 Josh Jacomb (Chiefs), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow (La Rochelle), 8 Shannon Frizell (Toshiba Brave Lupus), 7 Sam Cane (Tokyo Sungolitah), 6 Peter O'Mahony (Munster, captain), 5 David Ribbans (Toulon), 4 Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), 3 Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Francais), 2 Camille Chat (Lyon), 1 Cian Healy (Leinster)
Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli (Blues), 17 Hassane Kolingar (Racing 92), 18 Will Collier (Castres), 19 Josh Beehre (Blues), 20 Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), 21 Santiago Arata Perrone (Castres), 22 Joe Marchant (Stade Francais), 23 Lachlan Boshier (Wild Knights)
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