South Africa Springboks have made significant changes to their lineup ahead of their highly anticipated rematch against New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at DHL Stadium, Cape Town, on Saturday.
Wing Canan Moodie and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse will make their first appearances for South Africa since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while two-time World Cup winners Willie le Roux and Lukhanyo Am also return to the matchday squad. These adjustments are part of a seven-change shuffle made by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
Grant Williams earns his first start of the season at scrumhalf, partnering with Handre Pollard, who is promoted to the starting XV after coming off the bench in last week’s thrilling 31-27 victory over the All Blacks at Emirates Airline Park.
Joining them in the pack is veteran lock Eben Etzebeth, returning to the starting lineup after an impactful performance off the bench in the previous match.
Meanwhile, captain Siya Kolisi, who sustained a cheek injury last week, has been cleared to play after completing all training sessions.
Kolisi will lead a powerful loose trio featuring No. 8 Jasper Wiese and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who shifts back to his preferred flanker role.
Etzebeth will pair up with Ruan Nortje in the second row, replacing Ben-Jason Dixon, while Le Roux takes his familiar spot at fullback, forcing Aphelele Fassi to sit out this week’s game.
Moodie replaces Kurt-Lee Arendse, who misses the game due to concussion, and his inclusion pushes Cheslin Kolbe from the right to the left wing.
The Boks have also returned to a traditional five-three split on the bench, with Am joining Hendrikse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu among the backline replacements.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus expressed high expectations for the rematch, cautioning that New Zealand would be desperate to bounce back. “This match is going to be massive,” Erasmus said.
“New Zealand are a world-class outfit, and we know they’ll be looking to turn the tables after last week’s game. They’ll be aware that a victory here will give them a huge boost in the standings, and they’ll be motivated to retain the Freedom Cup, which they’ve held since 2010.”
The Springboks will be aiming for their fourth successive win over the All Blacks, a rare achievement in the storied rivalry between the two teams. Erasmus stressed that the team would need a complete effort to secure the victory, emphasizing the need for a strong start.
“New Zealand have shown that if they get going early, they can be incredibly hard to stop. We need to ensure we are mentally and physically sharp from the first whistle,” he added.
Moodie and Hendrikse’s return is a significant boost for South Africa, as both players make their comeback following surgeries—Moodie for a fractured finger and Hendrikse for a shoulder injury.
Both last appeared in the Springbok jersey during the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup in France.
Erasmus also praised the return of Kolisi, calling him a “world-class player and captain.” The Springbok skipper, who leads by example both on and off the field, has been a cornerstone of the team’s recent success.
“Siya trained pain-free all week, and we fully trust him to deliver a strong performance on Saturday,” Erasmus said.
The Springbok squad includes 13 players who featured in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, a match that South Africa famously won 12-11.
These players bring a wealth of experience, with Kolisi, Etzebeth, Le Roux, Handre Pollard, and others forming the backbone of the team. In total, the squad boasts 19 Rugby World Cup winners, further solidifying the depth and talent at Erasmus’ disposal.
Etzebeth, who will earn his 126th cap on Saturday, is closing in on Victor Matfield’s record as South Africa’s most-capped player. Meanwhile, Le Roux’s start will bring him just three Tests away from joining the elite group of Springbok centurions.
However, Erasmus downplayed the importance of individual milestones, focusing instead on the team’s performance. “We’re not looking at records right now. Our focus is on building momentum and delivering a strong performance against a formidable New Zealand side.”
The All Blacks, who have won four of their last five matches in Cape Town, will pose a significant challenge. Erasmus emphasized that his team cannot afford to look too far ahead, despite the potential of winning the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.
“If you look too far ahead, it comes back to bite you. We’re focused on correcting the mistakes of last week and delivering our best rugby on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, the Boks have released three players—Steven Kitshoff, Ben-Jason Dixon, and Makazole Mapimpi—to their provincial unions for more game time in the Carling Currie Cup.
Mapimpi, who spent the week in KwaZulu-Natal following the birth of his child, will be available for the Sharks’ Currie Cup clash against the Bulls on Sunday.
Kitshoff and Dixon will join DHL Western Province as they prepare for their match against Suzuki Griquas on Friday.
As the Springboks prepare for another intense battle against their longtime rivals, Saturday’s match in Cape Town promises to be a thrilling chapter in the ongoing saga between South Africa and New Zealand.
Source: SA Rugby
