South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, has announced a single alteration to his match‑day squad for the third Test of the four‑match series against New Zealand, which will be contested at Johannesburg’s iconic stadium on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The adjustment is a direct result of a setback suffered by centre Damien Willemse, who has been forced out of the lineup after sustaining an injury that sidelines him for the remainder of the series. In response, Erasmus has reshuffled his back‑line to cover the gap and to preserve the balance he believes the team needs to compete with the All Blacks.
The most noticeable shift sees the electrifying winger Cheslin Kolbe moving into the fullback position. Kolbe, renowned for his blistering footwork and defensive acumen, has previously featured at fullback in several Springbok fixtures, and Erasmus trusts his versatility to fill the vacancy left by Willemse.
To replace Kolbe on the wing, the coach has brought Kurt‑Lee Arendse into the 23‑man squad. Arendse, a promising talent with a reputation for speed and finishing ability, will line up on the edge, providing fresh impetus to the Springboks’ attacking platform. At fly‑half, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu retains his starting role, with Manie Libbok named on the bench as his immediate backup. Both players have shown composure in recent outings, and Erasmus appears satisfied with their partnership.
The veteran kicker Handre Pollard remains unavailable due to a lingering calf issue, meaning the Springboks will continue without his experience for the remainder of the series. The back row will be led by captain Siya Kolisi, who returns to the field after missing the previous Test because of a hamstring strain.
Kolisi’s leadership and ball‑carrying power are expected to anchor the forwards, alongside the formidable lock Pieter‑Steph du Toit and the hard‑running number eight Jasper Wiese. Their combined work rate and physicality should give South Africa a solid platform in the breakdown and at the ruck. In the lock department, Eben Etzebeth will make a milestone appearance, his 145th cap for the Springboks, extending his record as the most‑capped player in South African rugby history.
Etzebeth’s experience, line‑out expertise, and defensive presence will be crucial against New Zealand’s towering second‑rowers. The front row will be composed of hooker Malcolm Marx, flanker Ox Nche, and prop Wilco Louw, completing a forward pack that blends raw power with technical skill. Erasmus explained his rationale for the change, emphasizing continuity and the importance of rewarding players who performed well in the previous encounter. “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 stability while also adapting to injuries. The third Test follows a dramatic 33‑26 victory for South Africa in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi marked his comeback by crossing for a try, leveling the series at one win each. That match was a showcase of the intense rivalry that exists between the two nations, often billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and set the stage for a tightly contested decider.
In addition to the men’s game, Sky Sports will also broadcast the inaugural meeting between the New Zealand and South Africa women’s sides on the same day, with coverage beginning at 12:30 pm on Sky Sports Action. This historic fixture highlights the growing prominence of women’s rugby on the international stage. The full starting XV for South Africa will be: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (fullback), 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (right wing), 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, 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 will feature Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok.
Fans can follow every minute of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa live on Sky Sports, with the option to stream the action contract‑free via the NOW platform. The broadcast will include pre‑match analysis, post‑match interviews, and in‑depth commentary to enhance the viewing experience.
For those seeking tailored updates, Sky Sports also offers customizable sports notifications and a dedicated app for on‑the‑go access. Overall, the single adjustment to the Springboks’ lineup reflects both the inevitable challenges of injury management and the strategic desire to maintain a cohesive unit as the series reaches its climax.
With Kolbe shifting to fullback, Arendse stepping onto the wing, and Kolisi back in the captain’s role, South Africa will look to capitalize on the momentum from their Cape Town triumph and aim to secure a series‑winning performance against a resilient New Zealand side.