Cheslin Kolbe will start at full-back with Damian Willemse ruled out of South Africa’s third Test clash with New Zealand.
Kolbe relocates from the wing with Kurt-Lee Arendse returning to the back three after being left out as the Springboks levelled .
Rassie Erasmus promotes Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw to the starting side, having made a late switch of the trio onto the bench ahead of the second Test in an otherwise unchanged forward pack.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues at fly half with Manie Libbok again offering cover among the replacements in the continuing absence of Handre Pollard.
“It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series, and we thought that the players who did the job for us last week really showed composure and did well to stick to the plan and what we wanted to achieve last week,” said Erasmus.
“Unfortunately, Damian Willemse took a knock in the first half and was not available for selection this weekend, and neither was Handre Pollard, and by sticking to these combinations and making one switch with Cheslin at fullback, we thought it would be the best for this match.
“Kurt-Lee was unlucky not to play last week after Cheslin recovered from his niggle, so we are pleased to see him back. He is a quality player, and his 25 tries in 33 matches so far shows the type of player he is.”
The world champions held off an All Blacks fightback to secure a 33-26 victory at Cape Town Stadium, and will now look to ensure that they cannot lose the four-match series as it returns to Johannesburg.
The third Test will be held at FNB Stadium in Soweto before the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series concludes in Baltimore on the
It is hoped that Willemse and Pollard will be fit to contend for selection for that encounter. New Zealand are due to name their side on Thursday.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Ethan Hooker, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 15 Cheslin Kolbe.
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.