Springboks make two changes to starting XV for final New Zealand test
Rugby Union – New Zealand tour of South Africa – South Africa v New Zealand – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa – August 29, 2026 South Africa’s Damian Willemse in action with New Zealand’s George Bower REUTERS/Esa Alexander
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Sept 7 : South Africa have made two changes to their starting XV for the fourth and final test against New Zealand in Baltimore, United States, on Saturday as they look to claim the self-styled Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against their old foes.
The Springboks lead 2-1 after the first three tests and coach Rassie Erasmus has largely stuck to his tried and trusted again for the final fixture.
• Damian Willemse returns from injury to take over from Cheslin Kolbe at fullback after the latter fractured his jaw in last Saturday’s 29-24 victory in Soweto.
• Morne van den Berg is elevated from the bench to start at scrumhalf, with Cobus Reinach taking his place among the replacements.
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• Erasmus has otherwise stuck with the same match-day 23 that did duty in the last test.
• Lock Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok player of all time to 146 caps.
• The Springboks have won seven of the last nine matches against the All Blacks dating back to August 2023.
• “We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches, so we believe selecting the same matchday squad, and naming Damian back in his regular position, makes sense for the closing match of the series,” said Erasmus.
South Africa team: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Ethan Hooker, 10-Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9-Morne van den Berg, 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: 16-Deon Fourie, 17-Gerhard Steenekamp, 18-Thomas du Toit, 19-Lood de Jager, 20-Andre Esterhuizen, 21-Cameron Hanekom, 22-Cobus Reinach, 23-Manie Libbok.
Source: Reuters
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