Du Toit and Nche set for Boks milestones against All Blacks

Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to win his 100th Test cap and Ox Nche his 50th when South Africa face New Zealand in Cape Town this weekend. The Springboks are seeking a response after last week’s defeat to the All Blacks in Johannesburg.

Du Toit will become only the 11th Springbok to reach a century of Test appearances. Nche will also join a select group of South African players with half a century of international caps. Both milestones will come in the starting team, with Du Toit retaining the captaincy and Nche named at loosehead prop.

Rassie Erasmus has kept most of the side that started the Johannesburg Test. Handre Pollard returns at flyhalf alongside Cobus Reinach at scrumhalf, while Ethan Hooker replaces Cheslin Kolbe on the wing after Kolbe picked up a niggle in the opening match.

Siya Kolisi has been included alongside Paul de Villiers at flank, with a final decision dependent on how he comes through training. If Kolisi is cleared to start, the team will combine for 1,012 Test caps, making it the most experienced Springbok starting XV. Kurt-Lee Arendse would move to the right wing, with Damian Willemse completing the back three.

The replacements include 39-year-old Deon Fourie, who could make his first Springbok appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit provide further front-row cover, while Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen and Cameron Hanekom are among the forward options. Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu cover the backline.

South Africa’s focus is on turning opportunities into points after mistakes undermined their attack in Johannesburg. Erasmus has also changed the halfback balance, with Pollard and Reinach starting before Van den Berg and Feinberg-Mngomezulu offer alternative options from the bench. New Zealand arrive with momentum from their victory last week, leaving the Boks with the task of correcting their execution while marking two major careers.