Kolisi conditionally named for Springboks as fitness questions linger

Siya Kolisi will be given an opportunity to prove his physical readiness before the Springboks' second test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday. The South African skipper was named in the match day squad on Friday, pending a mid-week fitness evaluation that will determine his availability for the fixture.

Kolisi's conditional selection comes as the South African Rugby Union looks to maintain squad continuity while managing the captain's recovery status. Should he clear the fitness hurdles, Kolisi is expected to lead the team into what promises to be a closely contested encounter with the All Blacks.

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been omitted from the squad, marking a significant change to the backline setup. The decision reflects the selectors' assessment of form and tactical requirements for the Cape Town test.

The Springboks will be seeking to level the test series after their opening match against New Zealand, with the second fixture representing a critical juncture in their Rugby Championship campaign.