Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has shuffled his deck but kept the core intact for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park where the hosts haven’t been toppled by the Boks since 1937.
The biggest talking point isn’t the tactical tinkering but the leadership call.
Jesse Kriel, rather than double World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi, will run out as captain.
Erasmus explained that this was less about dethroning Kolisi and more about continuity, trust, and timing.
“Siya was touch and go for the match earlier in the week after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago, and we didn’t want to risk him unnecessarily, but with Jean-Luc du Preez having picked up a niggle at training this week, Siya was the obvious choice to slot in at No 8.
“At that stage, Jesse had already been told he would be the captain, and it was only fair for us to keep things that way.
“He’s a great leader and one of the core players in our team. His communication with the referee and his teammates is good, and he leads by example in the way he plays, so he deserves this opportunity.
“It will also be a big occasion for him to captain the team against the All Blacks for the first time, so we are proud of Jesse, and we know he’ll carry this responsibility with great pride.”
In rugby terms, Erasmus is keeping the lineout calls consistent. once the playbook was handed to Kriel, ripping it back would’ve unsettled rhythm.
Kriel, who has long been a midfield maestro, now shoulders the conductor’s baton, charged with orchestrating South Africa’s bid to finally end their Eden Park drought.
Power Returns and Tactical Tweaks
Only four changes punctuate a largely unchanged XV. The Boks welcome back their most capped warrior, Eben Etzebeth, who locks horns for the 136th time in Test colours, partnering Ruan Nortje in the engine room.
Kolisi, patched up and redeployed, shifts to No 8 for only the second time in his career, while Pieter-Steph du Toit reclaims his flank.
The backline’s single adjustment comes at fullback, where test centurion Willie le Roux slots back in after a late scratch against the Wallabies.
On the bench, Jan-Hendrik Wessels takes over at hooker, Kwagga Smith drops to impact duty, and Ethan Hooker gets another taste in place of Andre Esterhuizen.
The net result is a squad of 17 survivors from the Wallaby win in Cape Town, a blend of settled structure and subtle tweaks.
“We selected the best possible team we could for the match, knowing that this is going to be an epic encounter against the All Blacks at Eden Park, and many of these players have done the job for us before against them,” said Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus has named a settled side for Saturday's Test against the All Blacks in Auckland 🤝
Catch all the action live on @SuperSportTV 📺#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold— Springboks (@Springboks) September 4, 2025
History on the Line
For Erasmus, this isn’t just another Test, it’s an uphill scrum against history. The Boks are chasing a fifth consecutive win over their greatest rivals and a first taste of victory at Eden Park since 1937, with the Freedom Cup also dangling as extra silverware.
“This is obviously going to be a completely different challenge to what we’ve faced against them in the last two years, with the match being hosted in New Zealand, and also at a venue where they hold a fantastic record.
“That said, we’ve been working hard on the detail we wanted to iron out following the matches against the Wallabies since arriving in Auckland, so it’s now up to us to implement our plans and deliver a performance that we can be proud of.”
“The history and rivalry between the sides speaks for itself, and with all the permutations attached to this match, it makes it particularly noteworthy, so we are expecting it to be a proper grind.
“There are records on the line for both teams, and there’s no doubt that this game will be important in trying to win the competition, especially given how close the standings are at this stage.
“It’s definitely going to be a special match, and both teams will give everything they out there.”
Adding another layer of theatre, All Black dynamo Ardie Savea will chalk up his 100th cap. This is a milestone Erasmus acknowledged with typical respect.
“Playing 100 Tests is one of the most special milestones a player can achieve, and we’d like to congratulate Ardie for reaching this feat.
“He’s been a true servant to New Zealand rugby, and he deserves all the recognition that comes with that. It also doesn’t get more special than playing at their fortress in such a massive game.”
Putting in the hard yards in Auckland 💪#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/65JdLQZU6I
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 3, 2025
Final Word: A Battle of Inches
Erasmus knows this will be a blood-and-thunder clash where every ruck is a battlefield and every metre gained a minor victory.
“Matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are always intense, and we know neither team will hold back.
“They’ve announced a quality team with a strong forward pack and exciting backs, so we are under no illusion about the challenge ahead.
“There have been a few big scores between the sides in the past, but also many tight battles, so the most important aspects for us will be to execute our game plan as well as we can, fight fire with fire, and be effective in every aspect of our game.
“Every point will count in this match, so we need to be sharp mentally and physically, and ensure that we leave nothing out on the field.”
