South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, announced a single alteration to the match‑day 23 for the third test of the New Zealand tour, which will be contested in Johannesburg on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The tweak was forced by an injury to centre Damien Willemse, who has been ruled out of the squad.
As a result, the versatile back Cheslin Kolbe will shift from his usual wing position to full‑back, while the young wing Kurt‑Lee Arendse is promoted into the starting fifteen to fill the vacancy on the outside. The half‑back pairing remains unchanged, with Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu once again taking the fly‑half duties and Manie Libbok named on the bench as his reserve.
Veteran fly‑half Handre Pollard continues to miss out due to a lingering calf problem that has kept him out of training. Team captain Siya Kolisi, who has recovered from a recent hamstring strain, is confirmed in the starting line‑up. He will lead a back‑row that also includes the powerful lock‑forward Pieter‑Steph du Toit and the dynamic number eight Jasper Wiese, forming a formidable trio that blends experience with athleticism. Lock Eben Etzebeth will earn his 145th cap for the Springboks in this match, extending his own record as the most‑capped South African player in history.
His presence in the second row adds both physicality and leadership to the forward pack. The front row will consist of hooker Malcolm Marx, flanked by props Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, completing a forward unit that has been praised for its scrummaging strength and mobility around the park.
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 rewarding those who performed well in the previous encounter. The Springboks are entering this third test with momentum after a dramatic comeback in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi marked his return with a try in a thrilling 33‑26 win that leveled the four‑match series at 1‑1.
That victory showcased the depth of South African talent and set the stage for a tightly contested decider in Johannesburg. The starting XV for South Africa will be: - 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 (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 - 23 Manie Libbok All matches in the series are available live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland.
Viewers can also stream the entire New Zealand tour of South Africa via the Sky Sports app, which offers a contract‑free option through the NOW platform. The third test is expected to be a tightly fought encounter, as both sides possess a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent. New Zealand will look to re‑assert their dominance after the setback in Cape Town, while South Africa will aim to capitalize on the continuity in their back‑line and the experience of their forward pack.
The strategic shift of Kolbe to full‑back could provide extra attacking options from deep, and Arendse’s inclusion adds fresh speed on the wing. Meanwhile, the leadership of Kolisi, Etzebeth and Marx will be crucial in maintaining composure under pressure. Fans are encouraged to follow the live coverage, set up personalized sports notifications, and download the Sky Sports app for the most seamless viewing experience.
The match promises to be a highlight of the storied rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks, a contest that often produces unforgettable moments and showcases the very best of international rugby.