Exciting young wing Sbu Nkosi has been drafted into the Springbok starting line-up for Sunday’s gripping Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales at the Yokohama International Stadium (kick-off 18h00 local time, 11h00 SA time).
Nkosi replaces the hot-stepping Cheslin Kolbe who has not recovered sufficiently from the ankle injury he suffered against Canada and aggravated in the quarter-final victory over Japan (26-3) in Tokyo on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Nkosi – who has scored eight tries in his 10 Test appearances – slots into the right-wing position as a direct replacement for Kolbe.
“It’s disappointing not to have Cheslin available as he has been brilliant for us since we first called him up last year,” said Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby.
“But we really rate Sbu and he will slot straight in. I am as excited to see what he can do as I would be if ‘Chessie’ were playing. Sbu has been very close to selection as it is.”
Nkosi has made two appearances in the tournament, against Namibia and a try-scoring show against Canada – on the left wing – to follow up try-scoring appearances against Australia and Argentina (two tries) in the two South African home Tests in 2019.
The Springbok team to play Wales in Yokohama on Sunday is:
15. Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), 59 caps - 60 points (12 tries)
14. Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks), 10 - 40 (8t)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), 13 - 15 (3t)
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), 45 - 25 (5t)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), 12 - 65 (13t)
10. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), 46 - 421 (6t, 71c, 79p, 4d)
9. Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England), 28 - 20 (4t)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls), 52 - 15 (3t)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), 53 - 25 (5t)
6. Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers), 48 - 30 (6t)
5. Lood de Jager (Vodacom Bulls) 43 - 25 (5t)
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), 83 - 15 (3t)
3. Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), 36 - 5 (1t)
2. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 34 - 35 (7t)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 115 - 10 (2t)
Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 31 - 25 (5t)
17. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), 45 - 5 (1t)
18. Vincent Koch (Saracens, England) 19 - 0
19. RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), 21 - 5 (1t)
20. Franco Mostert (Gloucester, England), 37 - 5 (1t)
21. Francois Louw (Bath, England), 74 - 50 (10t)
22. Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), 9 - 20 (4t)
23. Frans Steyn (Montpellier, France), 65 - 141 (11t, 7c, 21p, 3d)
(Pic: SA Rugby)
