Kolisi, Du Toit, Wiese to set new Springbok loose trio record vs All Blacks

Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese will reach a milestone on Saturday, 5 September against the All Blacks.

The three powerhouses will set an outright record as a Springbok loose trio at the FNB Stadium this weekend.

Here’s who Kolisi, Du Toit and Wiese will surpass when they face New Zealand in the third Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test in Soweto.

What record are they chasing?

Heading into the second Test at the Cape Town Stadium last weekend, the trio equalled the record of Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen.

That loose forward combination played together 17 times, as confirmed by South Africa Rugby.

For years, Louw, Alberts and Vermeulen were the green-and-gold standard.

Previous Springbok coaches leaned heavily on the loose trio for their physicality and abilities at the breakdown.

Kolisi, Du Toit, and Wiese are now set to eclipse that legendary group.

Springbok loose trio shows faith in continuity

The second Test against the All Blacks last weekend was steeped in emotion.

Kolisi was making a triumphant return from injury in Cape Town, and Du Toit was celebrating his 100th Springbok Test cap.

Wiese, meanwhile, has continued to make his mark in the No 8 jersey.

Saturday’s third Test, with the All Blacks and Springboks all square at 1-1, is where the loose forward trio will etch their names in the history books.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for consistency, trusting a player combination that continues to work wonders.

Where Kolisi, du Toit, and Wiese sit in Springbok history

The loose forward combination had recently passed another significant South African trio.

Current Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, Andre Venter and Gary Teichmann started 14 Tests together in jerseys 6, 7, and 8.

Interestingly, Teichmann and Venter also appear on the list as part of a loose trio with flanker Ruben Kruger (14).

This underlines South Africa’s tendency to seek tight back-row combinations that are reliable game after game.

What’s at stake in the third RGR Test?

Erasmus has made five overall changes to his team for the third Test on Saturday.

He has turned to Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw to counter the All Blacks’ power game in the front row, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, and Deon Fourie on the bench.

Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the wing, with Cheslin Kolbe pivoting to fullback.

“Unfortunately, Damian Willemse took a knock in the first half and was not available for selection this weekend, and neither was Handre Pollard…” Erasmus said.

Upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures

5 September

Springbok Women vs Black Ferns: FNB Stadium – 13:30

Springboks vs All Blacks Third Test: FNB Stadium – 17:10

12 September

Springboks vs All Blacks Fourth Test: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore – 23:00 (SA time)

WILL SOUTH AFRICA’S LOOSE TRIO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN SOWETO?