South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, announced a single alteration to the Springboks’ match‑day 23 for the third test of the four‑match series against the All Blacks, to be played at Johannesburg’s iconic stadium on Saturday. The change was prompted by an injury to centre Damien Willemse, who has been ruled out of the encounter.
In response, versatile back Cheslin Kolbe has been shifted from his usual wing position to fullback, while Kurt‑Lee Arendse has been promoted into the back‑three to occupy the wing slot that Kolbe vacates. The back‑line will also see Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu retain his role at fly‑half, with Manie Libbok named on the bench as a reserve play‑maker.
Veteran kicker Handre Pollard remains unavailable following a calf strain, leaving the Springboks to rely on younger talent for the kicking duties. Captain Siya Kolisi, who missed the previous test due to a hamstring problem, is back in the starting XV and will lead the back row alongside lock Pieter‑Steph du Toit and number eight Jasper Wiese.
Their combined experience and physicality are expected to provide a solid platform for the Springboks’ set‑piece and open‑play strategies. In the second row, the side will be anchored by Eben Etzebeth, who will make his 145th appearance for South Africa, extending his record as the most‑capped Springbok in history. He will be joined by fellow lock Malcolm Marx, who also operates as a hooker in the front‑row rotation, and the prop pairing of Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, completing a forward pack that blends raw power with technical proficiency. Erasmus explained his rationale for the tweak, emphasizing continuity and confidence in the players who performed well in the previous test.
“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,” he said. The coach’s comments underline a desire to maintain momentum while still adapting to the injury setback. The third test follows a dramatic 33‑26 victory for South Africa in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi marked his comeback with a try, leveling the series at one win each. That match, often described as part of rugby’s “Greatest Rivalry,” showcased both teams’ attacking flair and defensive resilience, setting the stage for a tightly contested showdown in Johannesburg.
In addition to the men’s test, Sky Sports will broadcast the inaugural meeting of the New Zealand and South Africa women’s teams, scheduled to kick off at 12:30 pm on Sky Sports Action. The dual‑gender double‑header highlights the growing prominence of women’s rugby on the international stage. The Springboks’ starting lineup for the third test is expected to be as follows: - 15 Cheslin Kolbe (fullback) - 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (right wing) - 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 - 7 Pieter‑Steph du Toit - 6 Siya Kolisi (captain) - 5 Ruan Nortje - 4 Eben Etzebeth - 3 Wilco Louw - 2 Malcolm Marx - 1 Ox Nche Replacements will include Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok, providing depth across the back‑line and forward pack.
Fans can watch every minute of the All Blacks’ South African tour live on Sky Sports, with streaming available through the NOW platform for those without a traditional TV contract. The broadcaster also encourages viewers to customize sports notifications and to download the Sky Sports app for a more personalized experience. Overall, the Springboks enter the third test with a slightly reshuffled back‑three, a fully fit captain, and a historic milestone for Eben Etzebeth.
The adjustments aim to preserve the cohesion that helped them clinch a thrilling win in Cape Town while ensuring the squad remains resilient in the face of injuries. As the series stands at 1‑1, the Johannesburg clash promises to be a decisive encounter that could tip the balance in either direction, adding another chapter to the storied rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand.