Kriel to lead Boks at Eden Park

Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has named his side to face the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

While Siya Kolisi has been included in the starting XV, he will not captain the team. Kolisi has been named at eighth man, joining Marco van Staden and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the back row.

The captaincy has been handed to centre Jesse Kriel, who lines up next to Damian de Allende in the Bok midfield. Sharks centre Ethan Hooker has been named in the 23 jersey as part of a 5-3 bench split.

Erasmus said the decision to give Kriel the captaincy was influenced by the uncertainty around Kolisi’s fitness following recent injury concerns.

“Siya was touch and go for the match earlier in the week after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago, and we didn’t want to risk him unnecessarily, but with Jean-Luc du Preez having picked up a niggle at training this week, Siya was the obvious choice to slot in at No.8,” he said.

“At that stage, Jesse had already been told he would be the captain, and it was only fair for us to keep things that way.”

“He’s a great leader and one of the core players in our team. His communication with the referee and his teammates is good, and he leads by example in the way he plays, so he deserves this opportunity,” said Erasmus.

In other changes, Cheslin Kolbe shifts to the right wing to make way for Canan Moodie who takes up the position this week.

In the halves, Grant Williams once again partners Handré Pollard.

Up front Eben Etzebeth returns to the starting line-up alongside Ruan Nortje, while utility loose forward Kwagga Smith has been named among the replacements as back-row cover.

“There have been a few big scores between the sides in the past, but also many tight battles, so the most important aspects for us will be to execute our game plan as well as we can, fight fire with fire, and be effective in every aspect of our game,” Erasmus said.

Rassie Erasmus has named a settled side for Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks in Auckland 🤝
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— Springboks (@Springboks) September 4, 2025