South Africa team to face All Blacks - First start for Ethan Hooker as Rassie shuffles Springboks

The Boks head into the decisive fourth-round clash at Sky Stadium knowing victory would secure back-to-back Freedom Cup triumphs, having lifted the trophy for the first time since 2009 last year. Erasmus has opted for seven changes to his starting XV following last weekend’s 24–17 defeat in Auckland, with a new-look backline the most striking feature.

Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu form the halfback pairing, while Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie combine in midfield. Hooker joins Cheslin Kolbe on the wings, with Aphelele Fassi lining up at fullback. Captain Siya Kolisi returns on the flank alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, while No.8 Jasper Wiese is back from suspension. Up front, Lood de Jager partners Ruan Nortje at lock, with Malcolm Marx once again at hooker between props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit.

“This is an exciting team, which we believe will provide us with the forward power we require, and spark in the backline against a quality All Blacks side,” Erasmus said. “We need some fresh legs and energy to come away with the desired result.”

The Springboks boast 626 combined Test caps in the starting XV, with Kolisi set to earn his 96th appearance for South Africa and lead the side for the 64th time. Erasmus has again opted for a 5–3 split on the bench, with Grant Williams, Manie Libbok and Andre Esterhuizen covering the backline.

South Africa’s record against the All Blacks stands at 42 wins, 63 defeats and four draws from 109 meetings. The last time the two sides met at Sky Stadium was in 2019, when they played out a 16–16 stalemate.

15. Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

14. Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath)

13. Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls)

12. Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)

11. Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)

9. Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers)

8. Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)

6. Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks)

5. Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls)

4. Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)

3. Thomas du Toit (Bath)

2. Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)

1. Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Replacements:
16. Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets)
17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls)
18. Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
19. RG Snyman (Leinster)
20. Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
21. Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
22. Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners)
23. Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks)