South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, announced a single alteration to his matchday squad for the third Test of the New Zealand tour, which will be contested at Johannesburg’s iconic stadium on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports. The tweak was forced by an injury to Damien Willemse, who has been ruled out of the game. As a result, versatile back Cheslin Kolbe, who had been playing on the wing, will be shifted to the full‑back position, while Kurt‑Lee Arendse will be drafted into the back‑line to fill the vacancy left by Kolbe on the outside. The half‑back pairing remains largely unchanged, with Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu once again taking the reins at fly‑half and Manie Libbok named on the bench as his backup.
Veteran kicker Handre Pollard continues to sit out due to a lingering calf issue, meaning South Africa will rely on the younger playmakers for game‑management duties. Captain Siya Kolisi, who has recovered from a recent hamstring strain, will lead the side from the number six jersey, forming the back‑row trio alongside the experienced lock Pieter‑Steph du Toit and powerful number eight Jasper Wiese. Their combined work‑rate and physicality are expected to be crucial in a contest that has already produced two tightly fought matches.
In the second row, Eben Etzebeth will mark a personal milestone, making his 145th cap for the Springboks. This appearance extends his record as the most‑capped player in South African rugby history, underscoring his longevity and importance to the squad.
He will be partnered with the ever‑reliable Malcolm Marx at hooker, while the prop positions will be filled by Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, completing a front‑row that blends experience with fresh energy. Erasmus explained his selection philosophy, stating, “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 a strategic emphasis on stability and trust in the group that performed well in the previous encounter. The third Test follows a dramatic comeback by the Springboks in Cape Town, where returning captain Kolisi crossed the try line to help South Africa secure a thrilling 33‑26 win over New Zealand, leveling the four‑match series at one win each.
That victory not only restored confidence but also set the stage for a decisive showdown in Johannesburg, where both teams will be eager to seize the series advantage. The women's teams will also make history, as the New Zealand and South Africa women’s sides meet for the first time in a Test match that will be aired on Sky Sports Action, with coverage kicking off at 12:30 pm.
This parallel fixture underscores the growing prominence of women’s rugby on the international stage. The starting XV for South Africa is expected to be: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (full‑back), 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse (wing), 13 Jesse Kriel (center), 12 Damian de Allende (center), 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 Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok, providing a range of tactical options throughout the match. Fans can watch 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 schedule includes kick‑off times for the UK and Ireland, ensuring that rugby enthusiasts across the region can follow the high‑stakes encounter without missing a beat. The match promises to be a showcase of skill, strategy, and sheer physicality, as two of the sport’s most storied rivals battle for supremacy in a series that could swing either way after this pivotal third Test.