Northern | US
28 - 12
FT
13 - 18
FT
35 - 24
FT
12 - 15
FT
WOMENS
20 - 17
FT
65 - 35
FT
28 - 26
FT
43 - 6
FT
47 - 25
FT
39 - 22
FT
14 - 37
FT
12 - 29
FT
42 - 28
FT
57 - 12
FT
14 - 36
FT
20 - 52
FT
WOMENS
29 - 24
FT
27 - 26
FT
29 - 20
FT
40 - 36
FT
19 - 27
FT
28 - 26
FT
64 - 5
FT
28 - 28
FT
47 - 24
FT
57 - 42
FT
52 - 12
FT
24 - 27
FT
30 - 27
FT
Thursday
00:10
Thursday
12:00
International

Erasmus stays consistent with just two changes for Springboks in Baltimore


Damian Willemse of South Africa arrives at the stadium with his teammates before the 2026 Nations Championship match between South Africa and Wales at Kings Park Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Rynners - Nations Championship/Nations Championship via Getty Images)
Comments
2 Comments

The Springboks have named their 23 to play the All Blacks in Baltimore, sticking firm with most of the starting team that secured a 2-1 lead at FNB Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

Damian Willemse comes back into the starting team at fullback to replace Cheslin Kolbe, who was forced off early in the third Test. Willemse himself came off in the second Test with a hamstring issue.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg has been handed a start in the halves next to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, with Cobus Reinach moving to the bench.

Video Spacer

Damian McKenzie chats to reports after the All Blacks 24-29 defeat to the Springboks in Soweto

Video Spacer

Damian McKenzie chats to reports after the All Blacks 24-29 defeat to the Springboks in Soweto

The forward pack remains unchanged with Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw in the front row, Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje in the second row and captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the back row.

Springboks team for the fourth Test in Baltimore:

15. Damian Willemse
14. Kurt-Lee Arendse
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian de Allende
11. Ethan Hooker
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9. Morne van der Berg
8. Jasper Wiese
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
5. Ruan Nortje
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Wilco Louw
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Ox Nche

Reserves
16. Deon Fourie
17. Gerhard Steenekamp
18. Thomas du Toit
19. Lood de Jager
20. Andre Esterhuizen
21. Cameron Hanekom
22. Cobus Reinach
23. Manie Libbok

Recommended

How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

FEATURED

Victor Matfield: 'That always happens... the expectations are so high for him'

The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto

OPINION

'Humble pie': Neil Barnes on Springboks' dominant set-piece display

ADVERTISEMENT

Watch Rugby's Greatest Rivalry LIVE

Two rugby giants collide. Stream live, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV. 

Watch on RPTV

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

1

How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

147
2

Henry Pollock contract call a win for everyone – Andy Goode

1
3

'Humble pie': Neil Barnes on Springboks' dominant set-piece display

58
4

All Blacks trim squad for Baltimore as nine players return home

6
5

Uruguay star handed 13-game ban for knee-breaking tackle

5
6

Malcolm Marx is rugby's greatest bully

43
7

Les Kiss on the Springboks challenge after Wallabies make history

11
8

Dave Rennie's 12-word verdict on the Springbok scrum in Soweto

49

Comments

2 Comments
J
JD 1 hr ago

I’d like to have seen Manie starting. Very good news that Damian Willemse is back. On form, he’s a genius.

J
Johan 1 hr ago

Agreed, when Manie is on - the outside backs get the ball without it being from 50/50 high balls. First two test matches only saw the ball get passed to the wings once. Sasha is very exciting, but out of form and too individualistic…

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

LONG READ

How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

The fly-half entered the fray after Cheslin Kolbe broke his jaw, and turned the Springboks from ball winners to ball users against the All Blacks.

147
LONG READ

‘Pre-season seems to contain a mind-altering opiate that erases all ills from the past season and floods the brain with enriching optimism’

With no annoying league table to offer a crushing reality check, a swirling world of possibilities await every club for the campaign ahead.

1
LONG READ

Can Toulouse achieve Top 14 immortality?

Winning five titles in a row has never been done before in the 134 year history of the Top 14 but Toulouse are no ordinary team...

1

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 14 minutes ago
The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto

I don’t think it is that high risk. Why do you say that? We had less turnovers than SA playing a more conservative game. I don’t think using width means it’s risky. I actually think we have been overly conservative following a few of the line breaks we have made which is why we haven’t converted as many. I agree though i would like to see more kicking. We aren’t being smart with territory at times. But the kicking we have done has been smart. I think of the Hurricanes attack who kicked more than anyone as a great blueprint. I’m giving Rennie and co the benefit of the doubt that all the focus has been on restoring our running attack. I think we’ll see more kicking evolve over the next year.

78 Go to comments
f
frandinand 22 minutes ago
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

Two of Rennie's experiments which I was surprised by I don't think have succeeded. DMac as a starting 15 and Jacobsen at 7. I would be very surprised if he continues with these.

143 Go to comments
c
cnw 22 minutes ago
The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto

It could be significant in my view for two reasons - first it brings fresh additional power to the key collisions and as well as bringing additional fresh ballast to the set piece engagements. An additional back can do the former but not the latter. The French have been experimenting with it for 18 months or more and I think are close to cracking the formula with their 4x4 or 4x6/8 strategy. The team also needs to live with their weaknesses at set piece / maul - they need to flush and counterpunch with their clear advantage over the Boks in the open play. Their incisive attacking tends to get drowned out by the fixation with scrums and mauls yet they have produced tries at a much higher rate.

78 Go to comments
f
frandinand 25 minutes ago
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

Thanks for clarifying this Nic. Saved me the trouble.

143 Go to comments
M
MC_ 32 minutes ago
The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto

Yes and No. The brand of rugby the ABs play is high reward-high-risk and prone to errors when fatigue kicks in. We can play this game but attack doesnt always have to be with ball in hand. With such a weak scrum, driving kicks into corners with a solid chase should be used more when coming out of our own half. Our high balls are rubbish and kick chase is mediocre. Play needs to run through Jordie and Love more when things are tight and players are tired, so the right decisions are made

78 Go to comments
S
Stooge 47 minutes ago
'Humble pie': Neil Barnes on Springboks' dominant set-piece display

I think a big problem for the AB’s is the fact that NZ and Aus don’t focus on strong scrummaging props but rather props who are mobile, handles the ball well and who can just get the job done well enough to get the ball out quickly. The scrum for them in Super rugby is just a reset, and not a weapon like it is for SA teams.

58 Go to comments
S
Stooge 57 minutes ago
The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto

TEMU Ben’s arrogance or ignorance??

“the pair may have faced a cover tackle from Cobus Reinach, however, Vaa’i has enough power and speed to win that match up” Does TEMU Ben really think that Vaa’i is going to outrun Reinach?



...

78 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 58 minutes ago
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

Beatable? Yes ofc but none of them would start as favourites to do so right now, and for good reason!

143 Go to comments
M
MC_ 1 hour ago
Malcolm Marx is rugby's greatest bully

The ABs need a “bully” like Marx, though I dont agree with the label

43 Go to comments
S
Stooge 1 hour ago
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

The real test will come over the next 2 games when it comes to kicking for poles. Neither Sascha or Manie has been as reliable & accurate as Kolbe and if they kick and start missing then the confidence goes out the window.

Manie is playing brilliant rugby as he’s only focusing on that with no added pressure.



...

143 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto



It was their talismanic leader who breathes confidence into the All Blacks… Savea’s ability as a playmaker is irreplaceable.

I think this is a bit rose tinted, hype train hyperbole. If anything Ardie (remember he had another season at 7 with Rennie at Kobe) is now more of the all round 7 that we wanted from him last year, than he is from his POTY 23’ season where he was an attacking menace. And he’s also been shown repeatedly fail leading in such important/difficult matches, though that might have changed/improved with an attitude and outlook shift.



...

78 Go to comments
M
MC_ 1 hour ago
Malcolm Marx is rugby's greatest bully

I understand the intent and sentiment of this article, but I dont like you calling out a finger wag as being condescending, bullying or mocking. Maybe if he had been doing it incessantly throughout the match. If anything, he used it at exactly the right moment and there was zero mockery in the gesture. A simple assertion of dominance. I love it! Im an ABs fan and moments like this epitomise the true rivalry between these too sides…massive desire to beat each other but enough respect not to rub moments of dominance in their rivals face.

Back to Marx, I think the ‘bully’ persona (rightly or wrongly) was more evident in his younger days. There was a swagger and near smirk on his face throughout the game, and he did look like he was always looking for a confrontation. Current Marx is nothing but professional and there is a quiet confidence to him. Underneath all that is a simmering brutality, but Marx had learned to channel that into playing very hard and accurate rugby. We sorely miss a player like him in the ABs…the likes of jerry collins and jerome kaino.



...

43 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto

So Rennie & Co must know this, they’ve been around a long time and they are more than experienced. Are you saying they have simply gambled that superior aerobic fitness would see them through and they wouldn’t be caught out with more scrums and mauls than they could handle G?

78 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
The five moments that cost the All Blacks in Soweto

Interesting to speculate on what the effects of an AB 6-2 would be on these stats, presuming ofc they don’t suffer any early back injuries?

78 Go to comments
J
Johan 1 hour ago
Erasmus stays consistent with just two changes for Springboks in Baltimore

Agreed, when Manie is on - the outside backs get the ball without it being from 50/50 high balls. First two test matches only saw the ball get passed to the wings once. Sasha is very exciting, but out of form and too individualistic…

2 Go to comments
J
JD 1 hour ago
Erasmus stays consistent with just two changes for Springboks in Baltimore

I’d like to have seen Manie starting. Very good news that Damian Willemse is back. On form, he’s a genius.

2 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
Rassie Erasmus on scrum battle between Boks and All Blacks

…just not for his team then?

23 Go to comments
R
RugCs 1 hour ago
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

Here it is.Friendly fire… https://x.com/grapgatza/status/2096626876391264740/video/1

143 Go to comments
R
RugCs 1 hour ago
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

Did you see the clip on min 40:50 where Tupaea and Jacobson tackled Hooker? While on the ground you see Jacobson grabbing his teammates leg and bending the knee in the wrong direction … MCL,ACL gone. The same knee that Darcy Swain bent in the wrong direction a few years ago. I want to feel sorry for Tupaea but just can’t because Hooker was the intended target.

143 Go to comments
G
GS 1 hour ago
How the unplanned arrival of Manie Libbok turned the green and gold tide against New Zealand

Issue is that all the instances I highlight above are really just simple one on one misses - wouldn’t be acceptable at ITM or Super level but finding it’s way at test match level.

My own view is that after seeing how Carter struggled in defence in the England game last year, I didn’t expect him to be selected for the ABs.



...

143 Go to comments
Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Search Timezones
Close
ADVERTISEMENT
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close