And it was confirmed on Tuesday that all three Tests, like this weekend’s series opener, will be played in Cape Town.
Kolisi has recovered from Covid-19 and leads a Springbok team which includes 11 players which started the World Cup final win over England two years ago.
Fly-half Handre Pollard will win his 50th cap.
“We know what the players selected can do,” said South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber.
“The fact most of the players participated in the Rugby World Cup means they know one another well on and off the field.”
Kolisi, 30, played in South Africa’s win over Georgia on July 2, but only joined up with the squad in Cape Town on Monday after having to self-isolate for 10 days.
Winger Makazole Mapimpi and prop Ox Nche will also start after completing their self-isolation periods and joining the squad alongside their captain.
“The forward battle is going to be as tough as it gets so it’s important we pitch up physically and ensure we make our presence felt in the set-pieces and at the contact points,” added Nienaber.
“This, combined with the Lions’ hard-running backs, will test our defensive system.
“But we have been looking forward to these matches since the Rugby World Cup concluded and we have done our homework, so it is a case of doing everything at 100 per cent and sticking to our structures.”
Saturday’s first Test was always scheduled to be held in Cape Town although the second two were supposed to take place at altitude in Johannesburg.
But the decision to remain in Cape Town for all three Tests was made following extensive consultation with medical experts on the risks associated with the Delta variant of Covid-19.
All three Test matches will now take place at the Cape Town Stadium on successive Saturdays; July 24, July 31 and August 7.
“The data pointed in only one direction,” said Jurie Roux, chief executive of South Africa rugby.
“The series has already been significantly disrupted by Covid-19 and a return to Gauteng at this time would only increase the risks.
“We now have two teams in bio-secure environments without any positive cases or anyone in isolation.
“To now return to the highveld would expose the series to renewed risk.
“Everyone wants to see the two squads at their strongest and playing out an unforgettable series over the next three weekends. This decision gives us the best opportunity to see that happen.”
Ben Calveley, managing director for the Lions, said: “We are fully supportive of this decision which we believe to be in the best interest of the Test series.”
Roux added: “We have had great support from local government and I’d like to thank both Gauteng and the city of Cape Town for their open-minded engagement in what has been a very challenging time.
“Extraordinary times have called for extraordinary measures and we have had support from all our commercial partners despite the challenges.”
Lions head coach Warren Gatland is expected to name his side to face the Springboks in Saturday’s first Test on Thursday.
South Africa: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Smith
Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Malherbe, De Jager, Elstadt, H Jantjies, E Jantjies, Willemse
