Siya Kolisi and Handre Pollard named in South Africa side for British and Irish Lions first Test in Cape Town

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will lead his country in Saturday's first Test against the British and Irish Lions after overcoming COVID.

The Sharks flanker was one of 14 Springboks to test positive for coronavirus, forcing him to self-isolate in Johannesburg for 10 days.

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Wing Makazole Mapimpi and prop Ox Nche have also been selected to start for the world champions in Cape Town this weekend, having undergone medical screening due to being in similar positions.

Fly-half Handre Pollard, another of the Springboks who tested positive, will win his 50th cap.

The 23-man matchday squad selected by Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber includes 21 players who featured in the country's triumphant World Cup campaign of 2019.

Nienaber has stuck with the same forward pack which began the 40-9 success over Georgia on July 2, with scrum-half Faf De Klerk, centres Damian De Allende and Lukhanyo Am and wings Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe the five men recalled.

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"Some of the players didn't have Covid-19 symptoms at all, they have been managed according to their individual needs, and they have really impressed me with their intensity and enthusiasm at training," said Nienaber in a statement.

"The wellbeing of our players is of paramount importance, so we have been working closely with the medical team to work out what would be the best course of action for each player over the three-Test Series."

talkSPORT's live and exclusive coverage of the British & Irish Lions' Tour to South Africa continues on Saturday with the 1st Test against the World Champion Springboks. Coverage with Craig Doyle and former Lions Ben Kay, James Haskell and Tommy Bowe begins from 4pm.