Kolbe moves to fullback as Springboks name team for third All Blacks Test

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity for the third Test of the Castle Lager Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against New Zealand at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.

Erasmus made four changes and one positional switch to the starting team following the Springboks’ 33-26 victory last weekend, which levelled the series with two matches remaining.

Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback after Damian Willemse was ruled out following a knock in the first half of last weekend’s Test.

Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the wing, while Ox Nche, Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx are restored to the starting front row.

Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit and Deon Fourie move to the replacements bench.

Erasmus sticks with winning combinations

Erasmus said maintaining combinations was part of the plan for the series.

“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.”

Springbok front row changes again

Nche, Marx and Louw return to the starting front row after Erasmus changed his combination last week because of the weather conditions.

“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 rest of the starting pack remains unchanged.

Siya Kolisi captains the side from flank alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese, while Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje continue in the second row.

Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu retain the halfback combination.

Erasmus expects All Blacks response

Erasmus expects New Zealand to respond strongly after the Springboks levelled the series.

“We know how it felt after the first match in Johannesburg, and such a result really galvanises a team, so we have no doubt that they will go full-out to win this Test match before the series finale in the USA next week,” said Erasmus.

“They are one of the two best teams in the world and based on experience, they never give up, as we saw last weekend, so this will undoubtedly be another epic encounter between the sides.

“After two games, we are both into hard Test rugby mode, and we have a good idea of what to expect from one another, so it is going to be another grind of a match.”

The result at FNB Stadium will also have a major bearing on the final match of the series.

“This game is going to be equally, if not more intense than the last two given the fact that the team that wins this match will be two games up in the series, which will make the clash in the USA the decider or game that could see the series finish in a draw, so there will be a different vibe around this match.

“We are excited that we will be playing at the FNB stadium, where on a good day there is an 80 000 strong crowd, and that will be a new and exciting experience for our players because most of these players have never ran onto the field there, and the support we enjoy there will add to the occasion.

“With the vuvuzelas and passionate crowd there, we can hardly hear one another on the field, so we are all thrilled about this occasion. But make no mistake, this is going to be another intense battle between the two top teams in the world who are both looking to get an edge in the series, so we know what we have to do, and composure and accuracy are going to be vital for both sides.”

Springbok team to face the All Blacks

15 Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Stormers) – 52 caps, 170 pts (22t, 12c, 12p)
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars) – 33 caps, 125 pts (25t)
13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 92 caps, 120 pts (24t)
12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 101 caps, 60 pts (12t)
11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 11 caps, 10 pts (2t)
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 22 caps, 177 pts (9t, 45c, 14p)
9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 55 caps, 100 pts (20t)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 47 caps, 20 pts (4t)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 100 caps, 70 pts (14t)
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers) – 105 caps, 75 pts (15t)
5 Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1t)
4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 144 caps, 45 pts (9t)
3 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers) – 33 caps, 10 pts (2t)
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 91 caps, 135 pts (27t)
1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 50 caps, 0 pts

Replacements:

16 Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 14 caps, 10 pts (2t)
17 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 21 caps, 10 pts (2t)
18 Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 35 caps, 10 pts (2t)
19 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 75 caps, 25 pts (5t)
20 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 33 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 5 pts (1t)
22 Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions) – 8 caps, 25 pts (5t)
23 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 32 caps, 143 pts (2t, 47c, 13p)

Springboks vs All Blacks: Stats and facts

The Springboks and All Blacks have played 112 Tests, with South Africa winning 44, losing 64 and drawing four.

The Springboks have scored 1 899 points and 185 tries in those matches, while New Zealand have scored 2 328 points and 257 tries.

South Africa have won six of the last eight matches between the teams dating back to August 2023.

Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok of all time to 145 Tests when he takes the field.

The loose trio of Kolisi, Du Toit and Wiese will also move past the record they currently share with Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeuelen for the most Test starts together as a Springbok loose trio.

The current combination will make its 18th start together.

The teams have met twice previously at FNB Stadium, in 2010 and 2012, with the All Blacks winning 29-22 and 32-16 respectively.

Should Deon Fourie take the field, he will extend his record as the oldest Springbok to play in a Test match at 39 years by another week.

The Springbok starting line-up has a combined 958 Test caps, with 366 in the backline and 592 among the forwards. The replacements have a further 222 caps.

The third Test kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

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