South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, has tweaked his match‑day squad for the third test of the four‑match series against the All Blacks, which will be played in Johannesburg on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The only alteration comes after winger Damien Willemse was forced out of the side because of an injury sustained in the previous fixture. As a result, the versatile Cheslin Kolbe, who started the previous game on the wing, has been shifted into the full‑back position, while the dynamic Kurt‑Lee Arendse has been drafted in to fill Kolbe’s vacated wing slot.
The back‑line will also see Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu retain his place at fly‑half, with Manie Libbok named on the bench as his backup. The Springboks will continue without veteran kicker Handre Pollard, who remains sidelined with a lingering calf problem. In the forwards, captain Siya Kolisi is back in the starting XV after missing the previous test due to a hamstring strain. He will partner with lock Pieter‑Steph du Toit and back‑rower Jasper Wiese to form the back‑row unit.
Lock Eben Etzebeth will line up for his 145th test for the Springboks, cementing his status as the most‑capped South African player in history. The front‑row will consist of hooker Malcolm Marx alongside the prop duo of Ox Nche and Wilco Louw.
All three have been mainstays of the set‑piece throughout the series and are expected to provide the platform for the Springboks’ attacking platform. 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 a strategic emphasis on stability and cohesion, especially after a tightly contested opening two tests.
The upcoming match follows a dramatic 33‑26 win for South Africa in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi marked his comeback with a try that helped the Springboks level the series at one win each. That victory reignited the historic rivalry between the two nations, often described as rugby’s greatest rivalry, and set the stage for a decisive third encounter. The starting fifteen for the third test is expected to be as follows: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (full‑back), 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (wing), 13 Jesse Kriel (outside centre), 12 Damian de Allende (inside centre), 11 Ethan Hooker (wing), 10 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu (fly‑half), 9 Cobus Reinach (scrum‑half), 8 Jasper Wiese (number 8), 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 immediate tactical adjustments, the selection reflects a broader narrative of resilience and depth within South African rugby.
The squad has had to cope with a series of injuries to key backs, yet the coaching staff has managed to integrate younger talents like Arendse without sacrificing experience. Kolbe’s move to full‑back is particularly noteworthy; his speed, counter‑attacking instincts and defensive reliability make him a natural fit for the role, allowing the team to retain its attacking flair while reinforcing the back three’s coverage.
The match itself promises to be a high‑stakes encounter. With the series tied, both coaches will be looking to impose their game plans. Erasmus is likely to continue the Springboks’ structured, forward‑driven approach, using the powerful platform provided by Etzebeth, du Toit and the Marx‑Louw partnership to secure quick ball for the backs. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s coach will be eager to exploit any gaps in the South African defensive line, especially on the wing where Arendse will be tested against the All Blacks’ potent outside backs.
Fans can catch every minute of the action live on Sky Sports, with the broadcast offering a dedicated video player optimized for Chrome browsers. The network also encourages viewers to personalize their sports notifications and download the Sky Sports app for on‑the‑go access. This third test will be streamed contract‑free through the NOW service, ensuring that rugby enthusiasts across the UK and Ireland can follow the drama of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa without interruption. In summary, the only change to the Springboks’ lineup is the repositioning of Kolbe to full‑back and the inclusion of Arendse on the wing, a move forced by Willemse’s injury.
The rest of the squad remains largely intact, reflecting Erasmus’s desire for continuity and confidence in the players who performed well in Cape Town. With the series level at one‑all, the Johannesburg test will be a decisive battle, and the Springboks will be looking to capitalize on home‑field advantage, the experience of their most‑capped lock, and the renewed leadership of captain Kolisi to clinch a series‑winning victory.