The Springboks and All Blacks meet at FNB Stadium in Soweto this afternoon with the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series finely poised at 1-1, making the third Test a crucial encounter before the series moves to Baltimore for the final match.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity after South Africa’s 33-26 victory in Cape Town last weekend, making four changes and one positional switch to his starting XV. Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback in place of the injured Damian Willemse, while Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the right wing. Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw also return to the starting lineup.
Erasmus said the plan throughout the series had been to maintain continuity, adding that the players who delivered the victory in Cape Town showed the composure required to retain their places.
Captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick believe the historic setting of FNB Stadium, close to Soweto, will provide additional inspiration for the Springboks.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, arrive determined to respond after the Cape Town defeat. Their assistant coach Mike Blair acknowledged the improvement between the first and second Tests but stressed the importance of finding the right balance between playing with tempo and using different ways to fatigue the Springboks.
New Zealand have also highlighted their attacking threat: despite losing the second Test, the All Blacks scored four tries to South Africa’s three and have scored nine tries to the Springboks’ four across the opening two Tests.
The third Test kicks off at 17:10 South African time at FNB Stadium. With the series level, both teams know victory today would give them a major advantage heading into the final Test in Baltimore.
It is South Africa’s home ground, New Zealand’s opportunity to strike back, and a Test neither side can afford to take lightly.