Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has made two changes to his starting line-up for the fourth and final Test against the New Zealand All Blacks in Baltimore, according to Planet Rugby. The tactical shifts come as South Africa enters Saturday’s clash at M&T Bank Stadium holding a 2-1 lead in the four-Test Greatest Rivalry series.
Willemse and Van den Berg Return to Starting XV
Damian Willemse returns to the full-back jersey to replace the injured Cheslin Kolbe, who picked up an injury during last week’s fixture at FNB Stadium in Soweto, Planet Rugby reports. Meanwhile, Morne van den Berg has been promoted to the run-on side at scrum-half. Cobus Reinach drops down to the replacements bench to add experience and skill later in the match, according to Erasmus.
Willemse missed the third Test due to a hamstring injury. Erasmus noted that Willemse would have started that match as well if not for the late niggle, adding that the backline player knows his teammates well enough to pick up right where he left off. Van den Berg earns his promotion after delivering a fantastic impact off the bench last weekend.
Series Stakes and All Blacks Threat
A victory for South Africa in Maryland will secure the inaugural tournament trophy against their arch-rivals. If New Zealand wins, the series will end in a draw following the All Blacks’ victory in the opening match, as detailed by Planet Rugby. Cape Times notes that the Springboks are bracing for an 80-minute battle against a desperate squad built on unrelenting pride.
Erasmus stated that his team is under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge ahead. He emphasized that the All Blacks are a proud team that will never stop fighting until the final whistle, pointing to last week’s encounter as proof of their resilience.
Pro Tip: To catch all the action, check local broadcast schedules. Kick-off is set for 17:10 local time on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with coverage across Sky Sports, SuperSport, and Stan Sport depending on your region.
Squad Details and Match Officials
The selected Springboks matchday squad features a strong blend of experience and recent form. Karl Dickson of the RFU will referee the fixture, assisted by Matthew Carley and Christophe Ridley, with Andrew Jackson serving as the TMO, according to Planet Rugby’s official match details.
- South Africa Starting XV: Number 15 is Damian Willemse, followed by Kurt-Lee Arendse at 14, Jesse Kriel at 13, Damian de Allende at 12, Ethan Hooker at 11, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at 10, and Morne van den Berg at 9, while the pack features Jasper Wiese at 8, Pieter-Steph du Tioit at 7, captain Siya Kolisi at 6, Ruan Nortje at 5, Eben Etzebeth at 4, Wilco Louw at 3, Malcolm Marx at 2, and Ox Nche at 1
- Replacements: The bench options comprise Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, and Manie Libbok, numbered 16 through 23 respectively
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the fourth Test between the Springboks and All Blacks being played?
The match takes place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
What changes did Rassie Erasmus make to the starting line-up?
According to Planet Rugby, Damian Willemse replaces the injured Cheslin Kolbe at full-back, and Morne van den Berg starts at scrum-half with Cobus Reinach moving to the bench.
What is at stake in this final Test?
South Africa holds a 2-1 series lead. A win secures the inaugural series trophy for the Springboks, while an All Blacks victory results in a drawn series.
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