Erasmus eyes double milestone as Kolbe and Willemse reach 50 caps against England

Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will each win their 50th Test cap when South Africa face England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, with head coach Rassie Erasmus saying the double milestone will sharpen his side’s focus ahead of their Nations Championship opener.

Both the wing and full-back were named in an experienced starting XV to face Steve Borthwick’s side, and Erasmus acknowledged the occasion carries genuine emotional weight. “They have both been stalwarts for us over the years, and as a team we would like to make it a memorable day for them,” he said. “It’s not every day you have two players playing their 50th Test, so that will certainly add to our motivation this week.”

However, Erasmus was quick to temper any sense of sentimentality. He described the match as “a hard grind” that will demand accuracy in every facet, warning that England will arrive in Johannesburg “as determined as ever”. The Springboks warmed up with an 80-31 win over the Barbarians, but Erasmus insisted that result offers little guide to what awaits them this weekend.

England arrive having endured a difficult 2026, recording just one win and suffering their worst-ever Guinness Six Nations finish. They will also be without rested captain Maro Itoje. Despite those setbacks, Erasmus was emphatic in his respect for the sixth-ranked side in the world. “England are a quality outfit, and we are expecting them to give everything they have in this match,” he said.

Erasmus highlighted England’s cohesion as a particular concern, noting they come into the fixture as a settled group fresh from their Six Nations campaign. “They will also want to have a good start to this exciting new competition, so we are expecting it to be a bruising encounter,” he added.

The South Africa coach said the squad selection balanced experience with younger players who have already demonstrated they can perform at Test level, and called on his side to transfer their training form onto the field from the first whistle.