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South Africa make one change for third Test against New Zealand
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South Africa make one change for third Test against New Zealand

August 31, 2026 at 12:03 PM
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Quick summary

South Africa have made a single change to their squad for the third Test against New Zealand, with Kurt-Lee Arendse replacing Damian Willemse.

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Attributed to original source

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has made one change to his matchday ‌23 for the third Test of the series against New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

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What happened

The Springboks have named their squad for the third and decisive Test of their series against New Zealand. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for just one change, bringing in Kurt-Lee Arendse in place of Damian Willemse. The series is currently level, making the third Test a critical fixture for both sides as they look to claim the trophy.

Chance analysis

A single-change selection from Rassie Erasmus signals continuity rather than disruption for the Springboks heading into a series decider against the All Blacks. Replacing Damian Willemse with Kurt-Lee Arendse suggests a recalibration in the back line, though the broader squad structure remains intact. With the series level, the decision reflects confidence in the current setup while addressing a specific area of the field ahead of the most important match of the tour.

Impact

Minor squad adjustment for South Africa with limited likely effect on overall team balance or match outcome expectations.

Related entities
Rugby Union Test Series
Players
Kurt-Lee ArendseDamian Willemse

Original source

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Lineup

South Africa make one change for third Test against New Zealand

South Africa have made a single change to their squad for the third Test against New Zealand, with Kurt-Lee Arendse replacing Damian Willemse.

Article summary

The Springboks have named their squad for the third and decisive Test of their series against New Zealand. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for just one change, bringing in Kurt-Lee Arendse in place of Damian Willemse. The series is currently level, making the third Test a critical fixture for both sides as they look to claim the trophy.

A single-change selection from Rassie Erasmus signals continuity rather than disruption for the Springboks heading into a series decider against the All Blacks. Replacing Damian Willemse with Kurt-Lee Arendse suggests a recalibration in the back line, though the broader squad structure remains intact. With the series level, the decision reflects confidence in the current setup while addressing a specific area of the field ahead of the most important match of the tour.

Source and timing

Published
Aug 31, 2026, 12:03 PM
Category
Media Report
Confidence
85%
Priority
Normal

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