The Springboks have made notable changes to their lineup for the upcoming Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against New Zealand in Cape Town. Among the adjustments, Canan Moodie (wing) and Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf) are set to make their first appearances since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while seasoned campaigners Willie le Roux (fullback) and Lukhanyo Am (utility back) also return to the squad.

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Head coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for seven changes, two of which are positional, from the side that recently edged New Zealand 31-27 in Johannesburg. Grant Williams earns his first start of the season at scrumhalf, partnering with Handre Pollard, who has been promoted from the bench. Eben Etzebeth also returns to the starting XV alongside Le Roux and Moodie.

Captain Siya Kolisi, despite taking a blow to the cheek in last week’s match, has been cleared to play after completing training sessions without any issues. He will lead the team from a strong loose trio alongside Jasper Wiese (No. 8) and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who shifts back to flanker from lock. Etzebeth will partner with Ruan Nortje in the second row.

Moodie’s inclusion sees Cheslin Kolbe shift from the right to the left wing, filling the gap left by Kurt-Lee Arendse, who is sidelined due to concussion. Meanwhile, the bench returns to a traditional 5-3 split, featuring Am, Hendrikse, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as the backline reserves.

Erasmus is fully aware of the challenge ahead, anticipating an intense battle against the All Blacks, who are eager to reclaim the Freedom Cup and boost their standings. “New Zealand are a world-class team, and we expect them to come back stronger after last week’s close contest,” said Erasmus.

With 19 World Cup winners in the match-day squad, the Springboks are well-equipped for the challenge. A victory would keep them in strong contention for the Rugby Championship title, which they last won in 2019.

Springbok team to face New Zealand in Cape Town:

15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 96 caps, 75 pts (15t)

14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 25 pts (5t)

13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 74 caps, 80 points (16t)

12 –Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 83 caps, 55 points (11t)

11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 36 caps, 96 points (15t, 3c, 5p)

10 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 74 caps, 734 points (7t, 99c, 162p, 5dg)

9 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 14 caps, 15 points (3t)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 28 caps, 5 points (1t)

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 82 caps, 45 points (9t)

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 87 caps, 55 points (11t)

5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 0 points

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 125 caps, 30 points (6t)

3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 74 caps, 5 points (1t)

2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 73 caps, 75 points (15t)

1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 34 caps, 0 points

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 70 caps, 95 points (19t)

17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 0 points

18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 55 caps, 0 points

19 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 46 caps, 45 points (9t)

20 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 7 caps, 0 points

21 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 15 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)

22 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 7 caps, 49 points (14c, 4p)

23 – Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks) - 37 caps, 35 pts (7t)

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