Rassie Erasmus makes four changes and one positional switch as the Springboks prepare for the decisive third Test.
The Springboks (1.35) have named their starting side for Saturday’s third Test against New Zealand (3.35) at FNB Stadium. Coach Rassie Erasmus opted for continuity after last weekend’s series-levelling win in Cape Town.
Continuity Built Around Last Week’s Winners
Erasmus reverted to the front row he originally selected before switching for weather reasons in Cape Town. Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw return to the starting front row for Soweto. Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit and Deon Fourie move back to the replacements bench instead.
“It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series,” Erasmus said.
He praised the composure shown by last week’s matchday squad in Cape Town. Cheslin Kolbe switches from wing to fullback, with Kurt-Lee Arendse coming into the starting side. Damian Willemse misses out through injury, while Handre Pollard remains unavailable with his own fitness concerns.
Erasmus Explains His Selection Reasoning
Erasmus confirmed that Willemse suffered a knock during the first half in Cape Town last weekend. That injury, combined with Pollard’s continued absence, shaped his selection this week.
“We thought it would be best for this match,” Erasmus said of the Kolbe switch.
He also praised Arendse’s return after missing out on selection the previous week: “He is a quality player, and his tries in matches so far show the type of player he is.”
The coach explained his earlier front-row switch as purely weather-related rather than tactical in nature: “Johannesburg weather is different to Cape Town, so we thought this would be the best decision.”
Expecting A Fierce Response From New Zealand
Erasmus warned his players to expect a determined response from the All Blacks this weekend: “We know how it felt after the first match in Johannesburg, and such a result really galvanises a team.”
He praised New Zealand’s competitive spirit, describing them as one of the two best teams in world rugby: “They never give up, as we saw last weekend,” Erasmus said, reflecting on their second-half fightback.
He described the upcoming match as another likely grind between two heavyweight rivals: “We have a good idea of what to expect from one another.”
A Massive Occasion At FNB Stadium
Erasmus highlighted the significance of playing in front of a potential 80,000-strong Soweto crowd. Many of his players have never previously featured at the historic venue.
“That will be a new and exciting experience for our players,” Erasmus said of the occasion.
He described the anticipated noise levels, including vuvuzelas, as adding to the electric match-day atmosphere.
“We can hardly hear one another on the field,” he joked, before turning serious about the stakes.
A win would put South Africa two matches up with just the series finale in Baltimore remaining. Erasmus stressed that composure and accuracy would prove vital for both sides on Saturday.
