Kolisi overlooked by Springboks for first All Blacks Test

South Africa and New Zealand renew rugby's 'Greatest Rivalry' in the first match of their four Test series at Ellis Park this Saturday; watch South Africa vs New Zealand live on Sky Sports Action on Saturday from 4.10pm

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been omitted the team for Saturday's first Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus named the inexperienced Paul de Villiers in his matchday squad ahead of Kolisi, who has been nursing a hamstring injury sustained in their 17-10 victory over Argentina on August 8.

With three further Tests against the All Blacks to come in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore, USA, Kolisi has not been risked.

"Siya trained well with us this week, and although we could have selected him for this clash, we thought it would be best to select Paul," Erasmus said.

"We are playing four Tests against the All Blacks and Paul has been playing well, so we are excited to give him a chance this weekend in what will be his first Test match against New Zealand, while taking a precautionary approach to Siya's return.

"We have a solid group of players, and each one of them deserves their place in the squad, so we will approach team selection week by week."

Centre Damian de Allende will earn his 100th Test cap at Ellis Park, becoming the 10th player in South African rugby history to reach the century landmark.

Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and lock Eben Etzebeth are the only players to retain their starting positions from the victory in Buenos Aires.

Prop Ox Nche, meanwhile, starts for the first time since July's Nations Championship victory over England.

South Africa have won five of their last six Tests against New Zealand, including inflicting a record 43-10 defeat on their great rivals in Wellington last September.

"They are a quality team and they're very well coached, so we are preparing for an 80-minute grind," Erasmus added.

"They have a well-rounded squad with physical forwards and an exciting backline, so we have to be sharp and accurate in our execution from the outset.

"Many of the matches between the sides have come down to the wire, so it's important that we use the chances we create and ensure that our discipline is on point.