Springboks name their team early once again for third All Blacks Test
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Test three.
Rassie Erasmus has made four changes and one positional switch to the Springbok starting XV for Saturday’s third Test against the All Blacks at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.
Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw return to form a new starting front row, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit moving to the replacements bench.
The other change is enforced by an injury to Damian Willemse. Cheslin Kolbe switches to fullback in his absence, allowing Kurt-Lee Arendse to return on the right wing.
Handre Pollard was also unavailable for selection, meaning Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach continue as the half-back combination.
“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,” said Erasmus.
“Unfortunately, Damian Willemse took a knock in the first half and was not available for selection this weekend, and neither was Handre Pollard, and by sticking to these combinations and making one switch with Cheslin at fullback, we thought it would be the best for this match.
“Kurt-Lee was unlucky not to play last week after Cheslin recovered from his niggle, so we are pleased to see him back. He is a quality player, and his 25 tries in 33 matches so far shows the type of player he is.”
Erasmus has retained the same back row of captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese.
The trio will start together for the 18th time, surpassing the previous Springbok record they shared with Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen.
Explaining the decision to restore the front row originally selected for the second Test, Erasmus said conditions had influenced last weekend’s late reshuffle.
“We decided to change our front rows last week due to the weather conditions, and Johannesburg weather is different to Cape Town, so we thought this would be the best decision for us this weekend.
“Gerhard, Thomas, and Deon have played massive games for us, and at the same time know how to deal with pressure, and that is exactly what we need against a never-say-die team like the All Blacks, who play for the full 80-minutes.”
The Springboks levelled the four-Test series with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town, having lost the opening encounter in Johannesburg.
The match kicks off at 4.10pm Irish time and will be shown live on SuperSport in South Africa.
Springbok team to face the All Blacks
15. Cheslin Kolbe
14. Kurt-Lee Arendse
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian de Allende
11. Ethan Hooker
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9. Cobus Reinach
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: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok.
