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 played at Johannesburg’s iconic stadium on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The tweak was forced by the injury to centre Damien Willemse, who has been ruled out for the encounter. As a result, versatile back Cheslin Kolbe will shift from his usual wing position to cover full‑back duties, while the dynamic Kurt‑Lee Arendse is promoted into the starting back‑line to occupy the wing slot that Kolbe vacates.
In the play‑making department, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu retains his place at fly‑half, with Manie Libbok named on the bench as his backup. The Springboks continue to miss veteran kicker Handre Pollard, who remains sidelined with a calf strain. Captain Siya Kolisi, fresh from a hamstring rehabilitation programme, 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.
The lock pairing also features a milestone for Eben Etzebeth, who will line up for his 145th test – a new record that cements him as the most‑capped player in South African rugby history. The front row is composed of hooker Malcolm Marx alongside the prop duo of Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, completing a forward pack that combines raw power with technical skill. Erasmus explained the reasoning 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 stuck to the plan we wanted to achieve.” His comments underline a strategic emphasis on stability and the desire to build on the performances that earned the Springboks a hard‑fought win in the second Test.
The upcoming match arrives after a dramatic turn of events in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi marked his comeback with a try in a 33‑26 triumph over the All Blacks. That victory leveled the four‑Test series at one win each, reigniting the historic rivalry that pits the two Southern Hemisphere powerhouses against one another. The confirmed starting line‑up for South Africa reads as follows: - 15 Cheslin Kolbe (now at full‑back) - 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (wing) - 13 Jesse Kriel - 12 Damian de Allende - 11 Ethan Hooker - 10 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu - 9 Cobus Reinach - 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 The bench includes: - 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 - 23 Manie Libbok All of the action will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland.
Viewers can also follow the entire New Zealand tour of South Africa via the Sky Sports app, which offers a contract‑free streaming option for rugby and other sports. Beyond the immediate tactical shift, the change highlights a broader narrative for the Springboks. The team is seeking to maintain the momentum generated by Kolisi’s return and the side’s resilient performance in the second Test, while also managing the physical toll of a demanding series.
The decision to move Kolbe to full‑back reflects his exceptional defensive instincts and counter‑attacking flair, traits that could prove decisive against New Zealand’s potent back‑line. Kurt‑Lee Arendse, who earned his first Test cap earlier in the series, now has the opportunity to showcase his speed and finishing ability on the wing. His inclusion underscores Erasmus’s confidence in the depth of the Springboks’ back‑line and the willingness to reward form over reputation. In the forwards, Etzebeth’s record‑breaking appearance adds a layer of experience that will be invaluable in the set‑piece battles that often decide Test matches.
Partnered with the emerging talent of Ruan Nortje at lock, the second row is expected to dominate the line‑out and provide a solid platform for the back‑row trio. The front row, anchored by Malcolm Marx’s scrummaging prowess and the sturdy props Nche and Louw, will be tasked with establishing a stable platform for the Springboks’ attacking moves.
Their ability to generate clean ball will be crucial in allowing the play‑makers to execute Erasmus’s game plan. Overall, the single alteration to the squad reflects a blend of necessity and strategic foresight. While Willemse’s injury is an unfortunate setback, the reshuffle offers an opportunity for other players to step up and maintain the continuity Erasmus has emphasized throughout the series.
The third Test promises to be a tightly contested encounter, with both nations eager to claim the series advantage in one of rugby’s most storied rivalries.