Springboks make two changes to starting XV for final New Zealand test

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. Erasmus has otherwise stuck with the same match-day 23 that did duty in the ⁠last test. "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. 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. The All Blacks are embarking upon their first full tour of South Africa since 1996! Marketed as the 'Greatest Rivalry' series, the winner will come out not only with the bragging rights but World Rugby's number one ranking. Keep up to date throughout August and September with news, previews and more. All tour fixtures | All tour results | Rugby match previews | Rugby news 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. Nick Said has been covering African sport for almost three decades, specialising in football, rugby and cricket. He is based in Cape Town, South Africa and you can follow him on X and LinkedIn.