Kolisi, Am named captains for Springbok showdown

Siya Kolisi will lead out a team in the national colours for the first time since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup as he leads the Green side out in the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown at Newlands on Saturday.

Lukhanyo Am will lead out the Gold team under the guidance of Deon Davids, with Mzwandile Stick the Green team coach.

The final line-ups were announced on Wednesday ahead of the festival match after Oupa Mohoje and Trevor Nyakane were withdrawn after Mohoje tested positive for Covid-19. Nyakane was withdrawn as a precautionary measure.

Here are the Green and Gold teams for the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown. ??

Don’t miss out on Saturday’s action - kick-off is at 17h05 and the game is live on SuperSport Grandstand.#StrongerTogether@CastleLagerSA pic.twitter.com/4L8XyLQvbl

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 30, 2020

Kolisi will get the chance to lead his side into battle against Am’s team, with the latter seriously being considered as the heir apparent for Kolisi in the future.

Kolisi’s side is a mixture of youth and experience, with Bulls Boks Duane Vermeulen and Arno Botha forming a potent loose trio, while Elton Jantjies will partner Sanele Nohamba in an interesting halfback combination.

The cool head of Frans Steyn will be important in the backline as he partners Wandisile Simelane in the midfield, while a young and speedy back three includes the likes of Gianni Lombard and two players who made their name for the Southern Kings in Yaw Penxe and Malcolm Jaer.

Luan de Bruin, who hails from the Toyota Cheetahs, and Ox Nche will form an interesting front row with World Cup-winner Bongi Mbonambi.

The Gold team has a blistering fast back three, with Warrick Gelant combining with Sevens star Rosko Specman and former Bok winger Courtnall Skosan, while the Stormers duo of Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies will marshal things behind the scrum.

Marvin Orie and Salmaan Moerat form a lock combination with a lot of potential while Nizaam Carr gets a chance to impress in the loose trio.

 

GREEN TEAM:

Gianni Lombard, Yaw Penxe, Wandisile Simelane, Frans Steyn, Malcolm Jaer, Elton Jantjies, Sanele Nohamba, Duane Vermeulen, Arno Botha, Siya Kolisi (capt), Hyron Andrews, JD Schickerling, Luan de Bruin, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.

Replacements:  Schalk Erasmus, Kwenzo Blose, Thomas du Toit, JJ van der Mescht, Juarno Augustus, Junior Pokomela, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Jeremy Ward, Kade Wolhuter.

GOLD TEAM:

Warrick Gelant, Rosko Specman, Lukhanyo Am, Rikus Pretorius, Courtnall Skosan, Damian Willemse, Herschel Jantjies, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nizaam Carr, Marco van Staden, Marvin Orie, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Dreyer, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Dylan Smith, Carlu Sadie, Jason Jenkins, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Ivan van Zyl, Curwin Bosch, Werner Kok, Manuel Rass.