South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, has announced a single alteration to his matchday squad for the third Test of the New Zealand series, which will be played in Johannesburg on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The tweak is forced by an injury to centre Damien Willemse, who has been ruled out of the game. As a result, versatile back Cheslin Kolbe will shift from his usual wing position to take on full‑back duties, while wing Kurt‑Lee Arendse is drafted into the starting XV to fill the vacancy on the outside edge left by Kolbe. In the half‑back department, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu is set to start once again at fly‑half, with Manie Libbok named on the bench as his immediate replacement.
Veteran kicker Handre Pollard remains unavailable due to a lingering calf problem, meaning the Springboks will continue to rely on Feinberg‑Mngomezulu’s play‑making abilities and his growing confidence in the kicking game. Captain Siya Kolisi, who has recovered from a recent hamstring strain, will line up at number 6, anchoring the back row alongside the experienced lock‑forward Pieter‑Steph du Toit and the powerful number 8 Jasper Wiese.
Their combined experience and physicality are expected to provide the platform South Africa needs to compete with the All Blacks’ aggressive forward play. A significant milestone will also be reached in the second row.
Eben Etzebeth is poised to earn his 145th cap for the Springboks, extending his record as the most‑capped South African player in history. He will partner with the ever‑reliable lock Ruan Nortje, forming a formidable locking combination that should dominate the line‑out and bring weight to the set‑piece. The front row will be composed of hooker Malcolm Marx, flanker‑prop Ox Nche, and prop Wilco Louw. This trio offers a blend of scrummaging power and mobility, essential for matching New Zealand’s dynamic forward strategies.
Their cohesion will be tested in the tight exchanges, especially given the high‑tempo style the All Blacks typically employ. Erasmus explained the rationale behind the change, saying, “It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series and we thought that the players who did the job for us last week really showed composure and did well to stick to the plan and what we wanted to achieve last week.” His comments underline the coaching staff’s desire to maintain a stable core while making tactical adjustments where injuries dictate. The Springboks entered this match on the back of a dramatic 33‑26 victory in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi marked his comeback with a try that helped level the four‑Test series at 1‑1. That win reignited the fierce rivalry between the two nations, often billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and set the stage for a tightly contested third Test.
The starting line‑up for South Africa will read as follows: - 15 Cheslin Kolbe (full‑back) - 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (wing) - 13 Jesse Kriel (centre) - 12 Damian de Allende (centre) - 11 Ethan Hooker (wing) - 10 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu (fly‑half) - 9 Cobus Reinach (scrum‑half) - 8 Jasper Wiese - 7 Pieter‑Steph du Toit - 6 Siya Kolisi (captain) - 5 Ruan Nortje - 4 Eben Etzebeth - 3 Wilco Louw - 2 Malcolm Marx - 1 Ox Nche Replacements on the bench will include Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok. These players provide depth across the backline and forward pack, ensuring the Springboks can adapt to any in‑game injuries or tactical shifts. All matches in the series are available live on Sky Sports, with kickoff times listed for the UK and Ireland.
Fans can also stream every moment of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa through the Sky Sports app, enjoying contract‑free access to the action via NOW. The broadcaster encourages viewers to customize their sports notifications to stay updated on scores, news and highlights throughout the series. In summary, while the Springboks have only made one alteration to their squad, the move reflects a strategic response to injury and a commitment to preserving the continuity that Erasmus values. With Kolisi back at the helm, Etzebeth chasing a personal cap record, and Kolbe adapting to a new position, the third Test promises to be a compelling clash of skill, experience and tactical nuance as South Africa seeks to seize the series lead against a resilient New Zealand side.