Here’s the Springboks team Rassie Erasmus picked to finish off the All Blacks

Springboks

Cape Town – Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider against the All Blacks in Baltimore.

Damian Willemse returns at fullback in place of the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while Morne van den Berg comes into the starting lineup at scrumhalf, with Cobus Reinach moving to the replacements bench.

The changes come as the Springboks look to clinch the four-Test series after taking a 2-1 lead with a victory in Johannesburg last weekend.

Erasmus opted for continuity after his team’s performances in the previous two Tests and said the squad was settled ahead of the decisive clash.

“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.

“These players also know exactly what to expect from a very determined All Blacks team, who will give everything to draw the series this weekend.”

Willemse started the first two Tests before missing last weekend’s match because of a niggle, while Van den Berg impressed after coming off the bench in Johannesburg.

“Damian started the first two Tests and had it not been for a niggle last week, he would have also started that match, so it’s good to have him back,” Erasmus said.

“He is a quality player, and he knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week.”

On Van den Berg’s promotion, Erasmus said: “Morne, meanwhile, made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start, so Cobus switches to the bench where he will add experience and skill in this vital match.”

The Springboks will face an All Blacks side desperate to level the series after New Zealand won the opening match.

Erasmus expects another fierce contest, saying South Africa was “under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge” ahead.

“We have faced the All Blacks three weeks in a row, and just like us, they are a proud team who showed last week that they will never stop fighting until the final whistle,” he said.

“That said, we are equally determined to finish the series strongly and give everything to lift the trophy, and the players are excited about the match.”

Erasmus said the Springboks would need to maintain their intensity for the full 80 minutes.

“We have no doubt that it’s going to be another epic encounter that will require a full-blown 80-minute effort on attack and defence,” he said.

A victory at M&T Bank Stadium would secure the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry title for the Springboks, while an All Blacks win would result in the series being drawn.

The match kicks off at 23:00 South African time on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Eben Etzebeth will make history by extending his record as the most-capped Springbok to 146 Test appearances.

The match will also be the first Springbok Test played in Baltimore. South Africa has won seven of its last nine Tests against New Zealand dating back to August 2023.

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