Springboks make two eve-of-match changes for second All Blacks Test

The Springboks have announced two changes to their starting XV for Test two of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series as a result of two late injury updates.

The first update sees Handre Pollard exit the matchday team after picking up what the team described as a “niggle” in a training session on Wednesday. The veteran’s withdrawal is covered by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who steps into the No.10 jersey he wore last week. Meanwhile, on the bench, the No.23 jersey Feinberg-Mngomezulu was originally named in will now be given to Manie Libbok.

There is also a positive injury update from the South Africa camp, with Cheslin Kolbe declared fit for the Test. The superstar winger has been thrown straight into the starting team, taking Kurt-Lee Arendse’s place on the right wing. Arendse falls out of the matchday unit as a result.

After initially making five changes to his team that lost at Ellis Park, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is now fielding a team with just three changes: Siya Kolisi in the No. 6 jersey, Cobus Reinach at No.9, and Ethan Hooker on the left wing.

Fixture

Internationals

South Africa

08:10

29 Aug 26

New Zealand

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Kolbe went down in the 58th minute against New Zealand at Ellis Park last weekend, clutching his hamstring and walking delicately from the field after kicking three penalties and a conversion.

The coach told reporters on Monday that changes could yet be made due to injury, saying on Kolbe specifically: “It’s more than just cramps. It’s not even the hamstring anymore; it’s a little bit of an ankle as well. It might be a late change with Cheslin if he really recovers well.”

With that recovery now satisfying team doctors, a South Africa rugby icon will take the field once more in his hometown of Cape Town against his nation’s fiercest rival, New Zealand, in what is a must-win game in the context of the series.