South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, announced a single alteration to the Springboks’ matchday squad for the third Test of the four‑match series against New Zealand, which will be contested at Johannesburg’s iconic stadium on Saturday. The decision, broadcast live on Sky Sports, was prompted by an injury to utility back Damien Willemse, forcing Erasmus to reshuffle his back‑line options.
With Willemse ruled out, versatile back Cheslin Kolbe, who had been deployed on the wing in the previous encounter, will now occupy the full‑back position. To fill the vacancy on the outside edge created by Kolbe’s move, Erasmus has drafted Kurt‑Lee Arendse into the starting fifteen.
Arendse, a dynamic runner with a proven record in the domestic competition, is expected to add fresh pace and attacking flair to the Springboks’ back‑line. The half‑back pairing remains largely unchanged. Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu will again take charge at fly‑half, orchestrating the attack and providing tactical kicking. He will be supported from the bench by Manie Libbok, who offers a reliable alternative with a strong boot and good distribution skills.
Veteran fly‑half Handre Pollard continues to sit on the sidelines, still nursing a calf injury that has kept him out of the squad for several weeks. In the forward pack, captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting XV after a brief spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring problem. Kolisi will lead the back row alongside the formidable Pieter‑Steph du Toit and the hard‑working Jasper Wiese.
This trio blends physicality, work‑rate and ball‑carrying ability, providing the Springboks with a balanced mix of experience and youthful energy. Lock Eben Etzebeth will mark a personal milestone in Johannesburg, earning his 145th cap for the Springboks. The appearance extends his record as the most‑capped player in South African rugby history, underscoring his longevity and consistent performance at the highest level.
He will lock the line‑out alongside a young but promising second‑row partner, Ruan Nortje, who has been gaining valuable game time in recent weeks. The front row is composed of hooker Malcolm Marx, a proven set‑piece specialist, and the prop partnership of Ox Nche and Wilco Louw. Marx’s throwing accuracy and scrummaging strength, combined with the stability and power of Nche and Louw, give South Africa a solid platform from which to launch attacks.
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 highlight the coaching staff’s desire to maintain a consistent core while rewarding players who executed the game plan effectively. The third Test follows a dramatic comeback by the Springboks in Cape Town, where captain Kolisi marked his return with a try in a thrilling 33‑26 victory that leveled the series at 1‑1.
That win reignited the historic rivalry often described as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, setting the stage for a decisive showdown in Johannesburg. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with additional coverage of the women’s first‑ever meeting between New Zealand and South Africa scheduled to start at 12:30 pm on Sky Sports Action. Fans are encouraged to download the Sky Sports app to receive personalized sports notifications and to enjoy a more accessible video player via Chrome. The confirmed starting XV for South Africa is as follows: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (full‑back) – shifted from wing 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (right wing) – new starter 13 Jesse Kriel (outside centre) 12 Damian de Allende (inside 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) Replacements on the bench include: 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.
The Springboks will be looking to capitalize on the momentum from their Cape Town win, while New Zealand will aim to restore parity and take a 2‑1 lead in the series. Both sides possess deep talent pools and tactical acumen, promising a tightly contested encounter that could swing the series in either direction.
All matches in the tour are available live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland. Viewers can stream the entire New Zealand tour of South Africa, contract‑free, via the NOW platform, ensuring that rugby enthusiasts worldwide can follow every crucial moment of this storied rivalry.