Kolbe to debut at full-back for Ireland test

Kolbe to debut at full-back for Ireland test

Versatile backline star Cheslyn Kolbe is set to make his debut at full-back for the Springboks when they tackle Ireland in their opening clash of the end-of-year tour of Europe this weekend.

The Boks return to action for the first time since the Rugby Championship campaign ended in September, with Kolbe set for a return to the squad following the jaw injury that kept him out since July.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin is set to host the fixture between the reigning world champions and the current number-one ranked side in the world on Saturday at 19:30 (SA time).

Ahead of him, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi will start on the wings with Damien de Allende and Jessie Kriel in midfield, while Jaden Hendrikse starts at scrumhalf ahead of Faf de Klerk and Damian Willemse pulls the strings at flyhalf.

œWe selected a team we believe contains the best combinations to counter the threats posed by Ireland, said coach Jacques Nienaber.

œDamian [Willemse] has done well for us at flyhalf, and he is continuing to grow as a player in that role, while we think Cheslin has the potential to add a new dimension to our game at fullback.

œHe was sidelined for a while after breaking his jaw against Wales but he has played four 80-minute matches for Toulon since returning to play, and we are confident that he will step up to the challenge.

œCheslin has delivered star performances for his clubs in France at flyhalf, so he will slot in as a backup flyhalf if necessary, while Faf is another option for us at No. 10 as well.

œDamian Willemse can also move to inside-centre if we need cover there, while Damian de Allende can play outside-centre and Willie fullback, and this allowed us for us to opt for a six-two split on the bench.

15 - Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) - 20 caps, 50 pts (10t)

14 - Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) - 3 caps, 10 pts (2t)

13 - Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) - 56 caps, 60 pts (12t)

12 - Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) - 66 caps, 45 pts (9t)

11 - Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) - 33 caps, 110 pts (22t)

10 - Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) - 23 caps, 19 pts (1t, 4c, 2p)

9 - Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) - 10 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)

8 - Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) - 18 caps, 5 pts (1t)

7 - Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) - 64 caps, 15 pts (3t)

6 - Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) - 71 caps, 35 pts (7t)

5 - Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) - 64 caps, 25 pts (5t)

4 - Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) - 106 caps, 15 pts (3t)

3 - Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) - 54 caps, 5 pts (1t)

2 - Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) - 55 caps, 65 pts (13t)

1 - Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) - 67 caps, 5 pts (1t)

Replacements:

16 - Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) - 52 caps, 55 pts (11t)

17 - Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) - 15 caps, 0 pts

18 - Vincent Koch (unattached) - 37 caps, 0 pts

19 - Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) - 59 caps, 10 pts (2t)

20 - Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) - 3 caps, 0 pts

21 - Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) - 27 caps, 15 pts (3t)

22 - Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) - 42 caps, 25 pts (5t)

23 - Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) - 79 caps, 65 pts (13t)