As South Africans brace for another big rugby weekend, the Springboks are gearing up to close out their July fixtures on a high note.
After a solid warm-up and two emphatic wins, they’re now preparing to take on Georgia this Saturday in what promises to be another confidence-boosting performance.
But make no mistake — while the match may look like a formality on paper, the Boks are focused on ticking key boxes ahead of the Rugby Championship.
Solid Start Sets the Tone for 2025
The 2025 Test season has been smooth sailing so far for the Springboks.
After brushing off the Barbarians in a warm-up game, they handed Italy back-to-back defeats.
Now, they’re aiming to finish this three-match July series with one last win — this time at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Kick-off is set for 17:10, and while many are predicting a routine victory, the players will be using this clash to fine-tune strategies, sharpen individual form, and build momentum for the tougher tests ahead.
What to Expect on Game Day
The matchday squad sees familiar faces returning and others looking to make their mark.
Here’s how the Springboks will line up:
Starting XV:
Fassi, van der Merwe, Moodie, de Allende, Arendse, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Williams, Wiese, du Toit, Kolisi, Nortje, Etzebeth, Fouché, van der Merwe, Venter.
Bench:
Mbonambi, du Toit, Koch, Snyman, Smith, de Klerk, Pollard, Willemse.
Their opponents, Georgia, are fielding a competitive side too, with standout names like Davit Niniashvili and Luka Matkava hoping to challenge the Boks physically and tactically.
Key Milestones and Player Highlights
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Eben Etzebeth continues to set records — this will be his 133rd Test, extending his reign as the most capped Springbok in history.
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Siya Kolisi returns for his first appearance of the season, adding leadership and spark to the team.
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Kurt-Lee Arendse is just five points away from reaching 100 career Test points — all eyes will be on him to hit that mark.
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Kolisi is also inching closer to an elite club — he’s seven matches away from becoming only the ninth Springbok to reach 100 caps.
Caps Galore and Experience on the Field
This Springbok side isn’t short on experience.
The total caps for the starting XV stands at a hefty 484.
The backline boasts 165 caps, while the forwards contribute a meaty 319. And don’t forget the bench — they bring a whopping 437 caps to the table.
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Average caps per player:
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Backline: 24
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Forwards: 40
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Bench: 55
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That’s the kind of depth and maturity the Boks will rely on as they prepare to take on bigger challenges down the road.
A Brief History with Georgia
This will be only the third time South Africa and Georgia have clashed on the rugby field.
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First meeting: 2003 Rugby World Cup (Australia) — Springboks won 46-19.
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Second meeting: 2021 (Pretoria) — Springboks won 40-9.
The Boks have a 100% win record over Georgia, having scored 12 tries to just 1 conceded, with an overall points tally of 86-26 across both games.
Final Tune-Up Before the Big Stage
For South Africa, Saturday’s game isn’t just about securing another win.
It’s about fine-tuning combinations, getting players like Kolisi back in rhythm, and reinforcing the team’s dominance before the Rugby Championship kicks off.
Mbombela Stadium will be buzzing, and fans are hoping for fireworks as the Boks aim to end July on a perfect note.