AUCKLAND:

Siya Kolisi has been cleared to play in South Africa's Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks on Saturday but will not be captain in a surprise move by coach Rassie Erasmus.

Experienced midfield back Jesse Kriel will skipper the visitors at Auckland's Eden Park, retaining the captaincy from the 30-22 win over Australia in Cape Town two weeks ago.

Regular captain and Erasmus revealed there was uncertainty over whether the decorated back-rower would be available to play for much of this week, which explained why he hadn't reclaimed the armband.

"Siya was touch and go for the match earlier in the week after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago, and we didn't want to risk him unnecessarily," Erasmus said on Thursday.

"But with Jean-Luc du Preez having picked up a niggle a

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