Rassie Erasmus delays Springboks team announcement for All Blacks’ series opener
Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus and an inset of Siya Kolisi.
SA Rugby has confirmed when Rassie Erasmus will name his Springboks team for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series opener against the All Blacks.
South Africa and New Zealand face-off at the iconic Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday in the first of four Tests between the two proud nations in the inaugural RGR tour.
While Erasmus has made a habit of announcing his matchday 23s early in the week ahead of games, the head coach will be keeping his cards close to his chest this time around.
It has been confirmed that the Springboks boss will only be naming his team to tackle the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Thursday, having previously disclosed his teamsheets on Mondays and Tuesdays this year.
Rassie Erasmus’ selection calls
There is some doubt around Siya Kolisi’s fitness for the opening game of the series, and if the double Rugby World Cup-winning captain is not available, Pieter-Steph du Toit is likely to lead the Boks against New Zealand. In that case, he is set to be joined by Paul de Villiers and Jasper Wiese in the back-row.
Erasmus’ lock stocks have been bolstered in recent weeks, with Eben Etzebeth getting through a full 80 minutes against Argentina. He is the front-runner for the number four jersey and could be joined by either Lood de Jager or Ruan Nortje.
The Boks will also be hopeful that Ox Nche is fit and firing, having last played in the opening Nations Championship match against England. If he is, he’d be the first-choice at loosehead prop and will pack down alongside Malcolm Marx and probably Thomas du Toit.
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With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu fit again, Erasmus has an intriguing choice to make at fly-half with Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard in the running. Cobus Reinach is primed to be in the matchday 23, along with Grant Williams, as the two scrum-halves. Meanwhile, Damian de Allende is set to become the tenth player to play 100 times for the Springboks, with the veteran centre entering the Test series on 99 caps.
He is likely to be paired with Jesse Kriel – the duo in line to start for the 45th time together in the Green and Gold jersey. Damian Willemse is the front-runner for the number 15 jumper and could well be joined in the outside backs by Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse with the make-up of the Springboks bench perhaps the hardest to predict.
Springboks v All Blacks
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, 22 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: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)