South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, announced a single alteration to his match‑day 23 for the upcoming third Test of the New Zealand tour, which will be played in Johannesburg on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The adjustment was forced by an injury to centre Damien Willemse, who has been ruled out of the fixture.
As a result, versatile back Cheslin Kolbe will shift from his usual wing position to full‑back, while Kurt‑Lee Arendse will be promoted into the back‑line to fill the vacancy left by Kolbe on the wing. In the half‑back department, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu is set to start again at fly‑half, with Manie Libbok named as his reserve on the bench. The Springboks will continue without veteran kicker Handre Pollard, who remains sidelined with a calf problem that has kept him out of training for the past week.
Captain Siya Kolisi, who has recovered from a recent hamstring strain, will lead the side once more. He will partner with lock Pieter‑Steph du Toit and back‑rower Jasper Wiese to form the back‑row trio, providing a blend of power, mobility and experience. In the second row, the ever‑reliable Eben Etzebeth will earn his 145th cap for the Springboks, extending his own record as the most‑capped South African player in history. He will be joined by fellow lock Malcolm Marx, while the prop positions will be filled by Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, completing a front‑row that combines scrummaging strength with dynamic ball‑carrying ability.
Erasmus explained the rationale behind the change, emphasizing the importance of continuity throughout the series. "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," he said. The coach’s comments underline a strategic approach that values stable partnerships on the field, especially after a tightly contested first two Tests. The Springboks entered the third encounter riding a wave of momentum.
In the second Test, returning captain Kolisi marked his comeback with a try, helping South Africa edge out New Zealand 33‑26 in Cape Town. That victory leveled the four‑match series at one win apiece and set the stage for a decisive showdown in Johannesburg.
Below is the full starting XV for the third Test: - 15 Cheslin Kolbe (full‑back) – shifted from wing to cover the full‑back slot after Willemse’s injury. - 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (right wing) – promoted to the starting wing to replace Kolbe.
- 13 Jesse Kriel (inside centre) - 12 Damian de Allende (outside centre) - 11 Ethan Hooker (left 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 consist of: - 16 Deon Fourie (utility back) - 17 Gerhard Steenekamp (prop) - 18 Thomas du Toit (lock) - 19 Lood de Jager (prop) - 20 Andre Esterhuizen (fly‑half/centre) - 21 Cameron Hanekom (flanker) - 22 Morne van den Berg (back‑row/lock) - 23 Manie Libbok (fly‑half) All matches in the series are available live on Sky Sports, with kickoff times listed for the UK and Ireland. Viewers can also stream every minute of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa through the Sky Sports app, which offers contract‑free access to rugby and other sports via the NOW platform. The third Test promises to be a pivotal encounter in what has already become a classic rivalry. Both sides have shown high‑level skill, tactical acumen and physical intensity over the first two games.
South Africa will look to capitalize on the home‑ground advantage and the renewed energy brought by Kolisi’s return, while New Zealand will aim to re‑assert their dominance and regain the series lead. The tactical shuffle introduced by Erasmus—particularly the redeployment of Kolbe to full‑back and the inclusion of Arendse on the wing—adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the Springboks seek to blend experience with fresh impetus. Fans are encouraged to follow the action via Sky Sports’ accessible video player, which works best on the Chrome browser for optimal performance. The broadcaster also offers customizable sports notifications, allowing viewers to stay updated on scores, injury reports and key moments throughout the match.
In summary, the only change to the Springboks’ match‑day roster is the movement of Kolbe to full‑back and the addition of Arendse on the wing, prompted by Willemse’s injury. The rest of the lineup remains largely intact, reflecting Erasmus’s desire for continuity and cohesion as the series reaches its decisive third Test. The stage is set for a thrilling contest that could swing the series in either direction, and rugby enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely to see which nation emerges victorious in Johannesburg.