Kolisi returns from injury to lead Springboks in Wales World Cup warm-up

A fit-again Siya Kolisi will start for the Springboks when they tackle Wales in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Bok skipper will play his first Test of the year, having recovered from a knee injury he suffered playing for the Sharks back in April.

Elsewhere, scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse will also play his first Test of the season, as well as prop Ox Nche, who is set to make an impact off the bench.

Hendrikse missed recent Test action after the passing of his father, while Nche was laid low by a pectoral muscle injury.

"Siya and Ox have been working extremely hard on their rehabilitation over the course of several weeks, and it's fantastic that everything worked out according to plan to allow us to select them for this match," Bok coach Jacques Nienaber said.

"They have two matches to build up their match fitness before the World Cup, and although it will be important to manage their load in the match, it's vital that they return to the field as they are key players in our set-up."

The Bok mentor was also delighted to see Hendrikse return to the fray.

"Jaden was unfortunate not to play in the last few weeks, but he is a top-class player and he's been training hard, so we are pleased that he'll finally get his chance this weekend. Unlike Siya and Ox, he's been training fully with us for weeks, so it's a matter of getting back into game mode for him."

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff 

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Marco