England vs South Africa team news: Cheslin Kolbe returns as Rassie Erasmus names side for Rugby World Cup final
The star winger missed the semi-final win over Wales due to an ankle injury but is now back in action
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Your support makes all the difference.South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe has returned to the Springboks’ starting XV for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against England.
Kolbe’s inclusion is the only change made by coach Rassie Erasmus, with the 26-year-old Springbok back in action after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out of the semi-final win over Wales.
Sbu Nkosi drops out of the match-day 23 to make way for Kolbe.
“Chessie is fully fit and ready to go. It’s tough on Sbu to drop out of the 23 altogether but he has made vital contributions to our campaign,” Erasmus said.
“But we have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency and although we know there are things we can do better this is a fit, well-practiced set of combinations.”
The Springboks, who will once be led by Siya Kolisi, have kept a six-two split between the forwards and backs on their bench, signalling their intent to target England up-front.
This will be the fourth time at the World Cup that 22 of the players will have appeared together.
“Getting to this stage is not enough for this team. We now have what may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become world champions – something that would mean so much to our country and our people.
“We know the excitement that there is back home and that the country may well be coming to a standstill on Saturday lunchtime in South Africa. There’s a huge weight of expectation.
“We may not be favourites but these players will leave nothing in the tank. We know how the wins in 1995 and 2007 lifted the country – even if it was momentarily. We want to give South Africa that experience once again.”
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