Rassie Erasmus Confirms Three Springbok Changes for All Blacks Test
- Rassie Erasmus confirmed three definite changes to the Springbok starting XV ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town on 29 August
- Captain Siya Kolisi has been named to start at No 6 but has been bracketed alongside Paul de Villiers as coaching staff monitor his hamstring recovery
- Pieter-Steph du Toit will retain the captaincy for what could be his 100th Springbok appearance if Kolisi fails to prove his fitness in training
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Rassie Erasmus has named his Springbok squad for the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town on 29 August, with up to four changes to the starting XV following their 33-16 defeat in the first Test at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
Three changes are confirmed. Wing Cheslin Kolbe and scrum-half Grant Williams have both been ruled out through injury, with Ethan Hooker taking Kolbe's place on the left wing and Cobus Reinach coming in at scrum-half. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu drops to the bench to make way for Handré Pollard, who starts at fly-half.
Kolisi's fitness a key question
The fourth potential change centres on captain Siya Kolisi, who is returning from a hamstring injury. Erasmus took the unusual step of listing Kolisi at No 6 alongside Paul de Villiers, a bracketing arrangement that gives the coaching staff until later in the week to assess whether the 35-year-old can take the field.
"Cheslin and Grant suffered niggles last weekend, which ruled them out of contention for selection, while we have bracketed Siya alongside Paul to allow us time to monitor how Siya comes through training this week," Erasmus said in a statement.
Should Kolisi not pass fitness checks, Pieter-Steph du Toit will retain the captaincy. The flanker is on course to earn his 100th Springbok cap in the rematch.
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This type of uncertainty is not without precedent. Before the first Test against England in July, both Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth were withdrawn from the starting line-up just hours before kick-off.
As seen in the tweet below.
Bench overhauled after Johannesburg loss
The replacement unit has been significantly reshuffled after the Springboks allowed their lead to slip in the final quarter in Johannesburg. Of the original bench, only prop Gerhard Steenekamp and utility back André Esterhuizen retain their places.
Deon Fourie, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Morné van den Berg have all come into the squad, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu filling the final bench spot.
Erasmus acknowledged that execution, rather than opportunity, was the team's undoing in the first Test.
The Springbok head coach also warned that New Zealand would arrive in Cape Town with added confidence after their first Test win.
The second Test in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series kicks off on 29 August, with South Africa seeking to level the series before a potential decider.
Springboks legend reacts to defeat against All Blacks
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks legend Kobus Wiese responded publicly after South Africa lost 33-16 to the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August 2026
The defeat saw the Springboks concede five tries to one and drop their top World Rugby ranking for the first time since August 2025
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Source: Briefly News
