Kolbe slots in at fullback as Boks ramp up excitement factor with team to face Japan

Cheslin Kolbe will start at fullback for the second time in his Test career, and the first in three years, as Bok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting lineup to take on Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, 1 November.

Kolbe is no stranger to operating in various positions in the backline, but the only time he wore the No 15 jersey in a Test was against Ireland in 2022.

That day, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi were the wings, completing a quality back three.

Arendse was then only three Tests into his career. He will earn his 28th cap this weekend, with Kolbe making his 47th Test appearance. Ethan Hooker, who will earn his sixth Test cap, completes an exciting back three.

“Cheslin has played a lot of rugby at fullback when he was in the French Top 14,” said Erasmus. “We could probably have started Manie Libbok or Handré Pollard at flyhalf and moved Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] to fullback as well.

“But we wanted some continuity at flyhalf, with Sacha still finding his feet at Test match level.

“But with Kurt-Lee back from injury and Ethan Hooker playing well, we have the luxury of giving Cheslin a run at fullback this weekend.”

What a luxury to have as well. Damian Willemse was not considered, as he is overcoming a hamstring strain. Erasmus said they wanted to give him more time to ensure he’s ready for next week’s clash against France in Paris.

Despite some shuffling, as the match falls outside of World Rugby’s designated Test window, meaning several players were not available, Erasmus was still able to name a formidable side. It includes 16 players who featured in the 29-27 win over Argentina three weeks ago that secured the 2025 Rugby Championship for the Boks.

Cobus Reinach and Feinberg-Mngomezulu are reunited at halfback with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel completing an experienced midfield.

Debut

Tighthead prop Zachary Porthen, in what has been a meteoric rise this season, will make his Test debut at the tender age of 21. Front row forwards rarely make their debuts at such a young age, and for tightheads it’s even rarer.

But the Bok coach has been impressed with Porthen’s performances for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship. He is also well known to scrum coach Daan Human, having come through the Elite Development Programme. The Bok management has been tracking Porthen for years.

Also, with Thomas du Toit unavailable due to the Test match window regulations, it made sense to examine Porthen against Japan.

Porthen is alongside the experienced Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche in the front row, which will ease his path into the Test arena.

“He [Porthen] proved at United Rugby Championship level and with the Junior Springboks what he can do, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can offer in his first Test match,” said Erasmus.

“Obviously, he has a lot to learn this week, but we have experienced players in the squad who have been helping and guiding him, and we believe this is the right match to give him an opportunity to prove what he can do.

“At this level, you have to sink or swim, so although it will be a challenging week for him to learn our structures, it will also be a very exciting week for him.”

Versatility

Lock Lood de Jager returns after missing the latter part of the Rugby Championship with injury. Leinster’s RG Snyman has been cleared by the club to play and will pack down alongside De Jager in the second row.

Flanker Siya Kolisi will lead the team, earning his 99th Test cap in the process. Franco Mostert earns a rare start at No 7 with Pieter-Steph du Toit being held back for France, and Jasper Wiese completing a dynamic-looking pack.

The bench is versatile. At a glance, it looks like a 5-3 split between forwards and backs, but it is officially a 6-2 split as André Esterhuizen is covering the back row.

He will also cover centre, while Kwagga Smith can operate in the backs, meaning this could also be a 4-4 split. As ever, the Boks will have the ability to confound expectations.

The reserve front rowers, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw, are all Bulls players, meaning there is a cohesive unit waiting in the wings. Ruan Nortjé, the Bulls lock, completes the lineup.

“Japan are a quality team, and they have a top coach in Eddie Jones, so we have no doubt they’ll throw everything at us,” said Erasmus.

“They also lost by only four points against Australia last weekend, which is a testament to the improvement they have been making, so we need to be sharp on attack and defence if we want to get the result.

“Very little separates the top teams in the world, and if you are not on your game both mentally and physically on the day, anything can happen. So, we will treat them with the utmost respect, and we also know how important this match will be to set the tone for the rest of our tour.” DM

South Africa

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Reserves: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortjé, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.