Springboks team changes: Rassie Erasmus loses Handre Pollard but gains Cheslin Kolbe for second All Blacks Test
Springboks backs Damian Willemse and Kurt-Lee Arendse and an inset of Rassie Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus has made late changes to his Springboks team ahead of the clash against the All Blacks in Cape Town.
South Africa have been dealt a major blow on the eve of the second Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test match, with Handre Pollard officially being ruled out of the game after sustaining an injury in training.
Rassie Erasmus makes changes for second All Blacks Test
SA Rugby have confirmed that the double World Cup-winning Springboks fly-half suffered a ‘niggle’ at training on Wednesday. He was further assessed on Friday morning, and the decision has been made to withdraw him from the team.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was initially named on the bench, is now reinstated as the starting number 10, having filled the role in the defeat at Ellis Park last Saturday. Meanwhile, Manie Libbok is recalled into the matchday 23, providing halfback cover along with Morne van den Berg.
Erasmus has made another late change with Cheslin Kolbe replacing Kurt-Lee Arendse in the run-on team. Kolbe was forced off the pitch during the latter stages of the first Test in Johannesburg and was not initially named in the starting team on Monday, with doubt around his fitness.
The Boks head coach hinted at the time that he may make a change later in the week, depending on how Kolbe fared in training, and that has proven to be the case.
The 32-year-old speedster now starts in the back-three along with full-back Damian Willemse and fellow winger Ethan Hooker. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel start in the centres once again with Feinberg-Mngomezulu partnering his Stormers teammate Cobus Reinach in the halfbacks.
Siya Kolisi captains the side from the number six jersey while Pieter-Steph du Toit earns his 100th Test cap from the other side of the scrum. Jasper Wiese completes the loose trio, who start together for a record-equalling 17th time – matching the record set by Willem Alberts, Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen.
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Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth are the starting locks once again as the front-row that dominated the All Blacks in the scrum remains intact with Ox Nche earning his 50th cap alongside Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw.
There is another record-breaker on the bench as Deon Fourie will become the oldest player to ever represent the Boks as he provides forward cover along with Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager and Cameron Hanekom, while Andre Esterhuizen offers impact in the loose forwards and at centre.
New Springboks team for Test II
Springboks: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 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 (c), 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 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Date: Saturday, 29 August, 2026
Kick-off: 17:10 (local SAST), 16:10 (UK), 17:10 (France), 17:10 (South Africa), 01:10 (23 August, AEST), 03:10 (23 August, New Zealand), 12:10 (Argentina), 00:10 (23 August, JST), 11:10 (EDT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
