Rassie Erasmus doubles down on late Springboks changes ahead of All Blacks Test
- Dave Rennie sends fresh referee message after Springboks ‘piggyback’ penalties - September 12, 2026
- South Africa v New Zealand: Where to watch, TV channel, Kick-off time & Team news for fourth Test - September 11, 2026
- Details emerge of ‘interesting’ flight together for Springboks & All Blacks to USA - September 11, 2026
Not done yet.
Rassie Erasmus has warned that the Springboks could make more late changes ahead of Saturday’s third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium.
Erasmus named his team on Monday, opting for continuity following South Africa’s 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town.
However, the Springbok coach has suggested that the starting XV announced at the beginning of the week may not necessarily be the one that takes the field on Saturday.
With rain currently forecast for Johannesburg, Erasmus admitted the conditions could prompt another late alteration.
“We’ve had the most beautiful weather for 13 weeks in Johannesburg, and now there is a chance for rain. And that does change the game and approach,” Erasmus said.
“It makes handling tougher, it makes box kicking tougher, it makes players who want to strip the ball more effective, and scrummaging is a little bit more difficult with a lighter pack.
“Daan tells me the ‘lighter’ pack struggles a bit more in the wet. I hope it doesn’t rain on Saturday.
“If it’s clear and dry this will be the team that’s starting, but if it rains we might make a change or two.”
The comments come after Erasmus made a dramatic late reshuffle to his Springbok side ahead of the second Test.
Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit were promoted to the starting front row shortly before kick-off, with Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw moving to the bench.
Erasmus subsequently explained that the decision was influenced by the weather conditions in Cape Town.
The Springbok coach is also well aware of the criticism surrounding those changes, but has doubled down on his right to alter the side before kick-off.
“The team sheet is only officially signed an hour before the game, so you can swap the entire team if you want to,” Erasmus said.
Nché, Marx and Louw have once again been named to start this weekend, but Erasmus has now left the door open for another reshuffle should conditions change.
The 53-year-old also believes South Africa’s management of player workloads could become increasingly important as the series progresses.
“I look at it in six-week blocs and how many minutes the New Zealand players have played over the last six weeks,” Erasmus said.
“I look at the minutes we played over the last six weeks, and we are probably per man 60 minutes fewer than them, so hopefully being punch-drunk wouldn’t come into this game.”
Saturday’s encounter could prove pivotal after the opening two Tests left Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry locked at 1-1.
The Springboks have never beaten the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, with New Zealand winning their previous meetings at the venue in 2010 and 2012.
