Willemse recalled as Springboks keep changes to a minimum for All Blacks decider

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made just two changes to the side that beat New Zealand in Johannesburg for Saturday’s Greatest Rivalry Series decider against the All Blacks in Baltimore.

Damian Willemse returns at full-back in place of the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while Morne van den Berg has been promoted to the starting line-up at scrum-half.

The selection reflects Erasmus’ preference for continuity after South Africa produced determined performances in their past two matches to move 2-1 ahead in the four-Test series. Cobus Reinach drops to the replacements bench for the contest at M&T Bank Stadium.

A Springboks victory in Baltimore would secure the inaugural Greatest Rivalry Series. New Zealand, who won the opening match, must win to level the series and force a share of the honours.

Kolbe was injured during South Africa’s victory at FNB Stadium last weekend and is one of six players who stayed behind in South Africa when the squad travelled to the United States.

The Springboks will fly directly from the USA to Australia after Saturday’s match for a one-off Test against the Wallabies at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, 27 September.

Saturday’s match in Baltimore will kick off at 23:00 South Africa time.

Erasmus has otherwise retained the starting team that helped South Africa establish their series advantage, with the side combining established forwards and a backline featuring Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and Ethan Hooker.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains at fly-half, while Jasper Wiese starts at number eight. Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi are named in the back row, with Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth in the second row.

Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche complete the starting front row.

Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok make up the replacements.

The Springboks starting team is:

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, 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.