Springboks Name Kolbe And Willemse In Team To Face England As Duo Reaches 50 Tests

• The Springboks head to Ellis Park on Saturday against England as Rassie Erasmus named a battle-tested squad
• Two players are set to celebrate major career milestones when South Africa takes on one of its oldest rivals
• Erasmus turned to a mix of experience and fresh energy as the Boks begin their Nations Championship journey
• Briefly News spoke exclusively to a rugby analyst ahead of the first Test match of the season

The Springboks squad to face England on Saturday, 4 July 2026, was announced by head coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday, 29 June, with two players set to mark major milestones.

South Africa will host the English side at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in what promises to be a blockbuster fixture between the two rugby rivals.

Erasmus has gone with an experienced starting XV led by captain Siya Kolisi. The match will bring back memories of the last time England visited Johannesburg, when Kolisi made his debut as Springbok captain in 2018. He previously described that encounter as a difficult night, although South Africa eventually secured victory after a shaky start.

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Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse reach milestones

Two forwards in the pack boast more than a century of Test experience, with Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth bringing their international pedigree to the side. Jasper Wiese and Pieter-Steph du Toit complete the loose trio, while Ruan Nortje has been selected in the second row.

The 2025 World Rugby and SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, Malcolm Marx, will anchor the front line at hooker alongside experienced props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit.

Kurt-Lee Arendse joins Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse in the back three, while Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende form a strong midfield pairing. Manie Libbok and Grant Williams have been selected as the halfback combination.

Rassie Erasmus names experienced Springboks squad

Erasmus has opted for a five forwards and three backs split among the replacements. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp and Zach Porthen provide front row cover, with Marco van Staden and Cameron Hanekom completing the forward options. Hanekom returns to the squad for the first time since November 2024.

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The backline cover comes in the form of Cobus Reinach, Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie, with all three players capable of filling multiple roles. Erasmus confirmed that Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager missed out on selection this week due to a minor injury concern and illness, respectively. Riley Norton has also been released from camp after picking up an injury.

Ethan Hooker will join the squad in Johannesburg on Monday after recovering from the shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined since April.

Speaking to Briefly News, rugby analyst Thabang Mokoena said Rassie Erasmus’ selection shows the Springboks are taking the England challenge seriously.

“England are a quality side, and you cannot afford to experiment too much in a fixture of this magnitude. Rassie has gone with players who understand Test rugby and have delivered on the biggest stages,” Mokoena said.

He added that the milestones for Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse could provide extra motivation for the squad, but the focus would remain on starting the Nations Championship campaign strongly.

“Reaching 50 Tests is a massive achievement, especially for players who have become important figures in this Springbok setup. The team will want to make the occasion special, but the result comes first,” he explained.

Mokoena also highlighted the importance of Ellis Park, where the Springboks have a strong history against England.

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“Playing at home gives South Africa an advantage, but England will arrive prepared. The first Test of the season is always about finding rhythm, and both teams will want to make a statement.”

Springbok team to face England in Johannesburg:

15 Damian Willemse

14 Cheslin Kolbe

13 Jesse Kriel

12 Damian de Allende

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse

10 Manie Libbok

9 Grant Williams

8 Jasper Wiese

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)

5 Ruan Nortje

4 Eben Etzebeth

3 Thomas du Toit

2 Malcolm Marx

1 Ox Nche

Elton Jantjies reportedly faces SARS tax demand

Briefly News previously reported that former Springbok star Elton Jantjies is reportedly entangled in financial and legal troubles with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), with claims that he owes more than R300,000 in unpaid taxes.

Jantjies, who is currently serving a rugby ban, has reportedly been issued with a final demand by the tax authority.

Source: Briefly News