Cheslin Kolbe moves to full-back as Springboks reshuffle for New Zealand Test

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made four changes and one positional switch to his starting XV for Saturday’s third Test against New Zealand in the Greatest Rivalry Series at FNB Stadium in Soweto.

The most significant alteration comes at full-back, where Cheslin Kolbe will replace the injured Damian Willemse. Kurt-Lee Arendse returns to the starting line-up on the wing, while Ox Nche, Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx are restored to the front row.

Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit and Deon Fourie move to the replacements bench as a result of the changes. Willemse’s injury has forced the only positional adjustment, with Kolbe shifting from the wing to the number 15 jersey.

The match in Soweto kicks off at 17:10 on Saturday, with Erasmus choosing to retain the majority of the side that delivered last week.

“It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series and we thought that the players who did the job for us last week really showed composure and did well to stick to the plan and what we wanted to achieve last week,” said Erasmus.

Willemse sustained a knock in the first half of the previous match and was not available for selection for the latest Test. Handre Pollard is also unavailable.

“Unfortunately, Damian Willemse took a knock in the first half and was not available for selection this weekend, and neither was Handre Pollard, and by sticking to these combinations and making one switch with Cheslin at fullback, we thought it would be the best for this match.

“Kurt-Lee was unlucky not to play last week after Cheslin recovered from his niggle, so we are pleased to see him back. He is a quality player and his 25 tries in 33 matches so far shows the type of player he is.”

Arendse had been left out of last week’s team after Kolbe recovered from a minor injury, but now returns to the starting XV. His record of 25 tries in 33 matches was highlighted by Erasmus as evidence of his quality and attacking threat.

The revised Springbok starting team is:

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 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.

The replacements are Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok.

The selection represents a largely unchanged approach from Erasmus, with continuity in combinations prioritised for the third meeting with New Zealand. The return of Louw, Marx and Nche strengthens the starting front row, while the backline adjustment gives Kolbe responsibility at full-back and brings Arendse back onto the wing.