South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, announced a single alteration to the Springboks’ match‑day 23 for the third Test of the New Zealand tour, which will be staged in Johannesburg on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The adjustment was forced by an injury to Damien Willemse, who has been ruled out of the encounter. As a result, the versatile Cheslin Kolbe will shift from his usual wing position to take up the full‑back role, while Kurt‑Lee Arendse is drafted into the back‑line to fill the vacancy on the wing created by Kolbe's move. In the half‑back department, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu retains his place at fly‑half, with Manie Libbok named as his reserve on the bench.
The Springboks continue to miss the services of veteran goal‑kicker Handre Pollard, who remains sidelined with a lingering calf issue. Captain Siya Kolisi, who has recovered from a hamstring strain, is back in the starting XV and will partner Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the back‑row, providing a blend of experience and physicality. Lock Eben Etzebeth will mark a personal milestone by earning his 145th cap for South Africa, extending his record as the most‑capped Springbok in history. The front‑row will be anchored by hooker Malcolm Marx, with props Ox Nche and Wilco Louw completing the set‑piece unit.
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." The coach’s comments underline a strategic emphasis on stability and the belief that the side that performed well in Cape Town should retain its core structure. The upcoming match follows a dramatic 33‑26 win for South Africa in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi crossed the line for a try, helping the Springboks level the four‑Test series at 1‑1. That victory was a showcase of the rivalry’s intensity, with both teams exchanging leads and delivering high‑octane rugby. The win also highlighted Kolbe’s adaptability; he had been instrumental on the wing in the previous game before being redeployed to full‑back for the Johannesburg clash.
The confirmed starting line‑up for the third Test reads as follows: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (full‑back), 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (wing), 13 Jesse Kriel (center), 12 Damian de Allende (center), 11 Ethan Hooker (wing), 10 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu (fly‑half), 9 Cobus Reinach (scrum‑half), 8 Jasper Wiese (number eight), 7 Pieter‑Steph du Toit (flanker), 6 Siya Kolisi (captain, flanker), 5 Ruan Nortje (lock), 4 Eben Etzebeth (lock), 3 Wilco Louw (prop), 2 Malcolm Marx (hooker), 1 Ox Nche (prop). The bench will feature 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, and 23 Manie Libbok. Beyond the tactical reshuffle, the game carries significant narrative weight. The Springboks are eager to capitalize on home‑ground advantage and the momentum generated by Kolisi’s comeback, while the All Blacks will look to reassert their dominance after the narrow defeat.
The match also presents an opportunity for the newly positioned full‑back, Kolbe, to demonstrate his defensive reliability and counter‑attacking flair from the rear of the field, a role that demands excellent positional sense and safe handling under high‑ball pressure. Fans can watch every minute of the Test live on Sky Sports, with kickoff times listed for the UK and Ireland.
The broadcaster also encourages viewers to download the Sky Sports app for a more accessible video player and to tailor sports notifications to their preferences. For those interested in a contract‑free streaming option, NOW offers a way to stream rugby and other sports without a long‑term commitment. In summary, the Springboks head into the third Test with a single, injury‑driven change but with a largely unchanged core that performed admirably in the previous match. Erasmus’s focus on continuity, combined with Kolisi’s leadership and Etzebeth’s historic cap milestone, sets the stage for a compelling contest in Johannesburg, where both nations will vie to seize the series lead in what remains one of rugby’s greatest rivalries.