Springboks announce team to play New Zealand in Rugby Championship

Mawande Mateza

Mawande Mateza

8 September 2025 | 7:38

In a change from the norm, coach Rassie Erasmus has named his squad on a Monday instead of later in the week to squash speculation about his selections.

Springboks announce team to play New Zealand in Rugby Championship

South Africa's head coach Rassie Erasmus holds a ball ahead of the international rugby union Test match between South Africa and Italy at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 12 July 2025. Picture: AFP

JOHANNESBURG - The Springboks have announced their team to play New Zealand in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

In a change from the norm, coach Rassie Erasmus has named his squad on a Monday instead of later in the week to squash speculation about his selections.

Erasmus has made 7 changes to the starting team that lost 24-17 to the All Blacks this past Saturday, with most of them in the backline.

Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie will form a new centre pairing, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, while Ethan Hooker will get a first start at wing, and Aphelele Fassi returns at fullback. Loose forward Jasper Wiese has completed his suspension and will start in the number 8 jersey.

Siya Kolisi will start at flank and reclaim the captaincy of the team.

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