Confirmed: When Springboks will name team to face All Blacks

As the Springboks head towards this Saturday’s blockbuster Test against the All Blacks, the good news is that coach Rassie Erasmus will have virtually their entire squad to choose from.

The likes of Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager (both locks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf) and Morne van den Berg (scrumhalf) have all successfully recovered from injuries, while veteran utility forward Deon Fourie has also been added to the squad.

However, Fourie’s call-up is partly related to the fact that Siya Kolisi is being monitored after straining his hamstring in the last Test against Argentina, and it could be for this reason that Erasmus has opted to name his matchday 23 only on Thursday.

That team will be revealed just before 14:00 on Thursday, and this will coincide with when the All Blacks will also reveal their Test team.

Springboks have some selections to carefully consider for All Blacks battle

If Kolisi is unavailable due to injury, Pieter-Steph du Toit or Etzebeth are likely to lead the team, while Jesse Kriel is another option.

Erasmus must also make a big call at flyhalf, where Manie Libbok is expected to start at 10, meaning Feinberg-Mngomezulu will have to make-do with a spot on the bench. It will also be interesting to see whether Grant Williams or Cobus Reinach starts at scrumhalf.

lots to look forward to

New Zealand and South Africa will cross paths on four successive weekends at Ellis Park in Johannesburg (22 August), the DHL Stadium in Cape Town (29 August), FNB Stadium in Johannesburg (5 September), and at the M&T Bank Stadium, in Baltimore, USA (12 September) in the inaugural RGR series.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures and results

Saturday, 12 September: Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States – 23:00 (SA time)

Friday, 7 August: Stormers 21-38 New Zealand, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Tuesday, 11 August: Sharks 0-54 New Zealand, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Saturday, 15 August: Bulls 19-50 New Zealand, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 19:00

Saturday, 22 August: First Test, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 17:10

Tuesday, 25 August: Lions vs New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 19:00

Saturday, 29 August: Second Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 17:10

Saturday, 5 September: Third Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – 17:10

Saturday, 12 September: Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States – 23:00 (SA time)