Kurt-Lee Arendse has been handed his wings back, and the All Blacks could soon discover that leaving the Springbok try machine idling was never going to last.
The electric Bulls wing returns to the starting XV for Saturday’s third Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test at FNB Stadium, with Cheslin Kolbe shifting to fullback after Damian Willemse was ruled out with the knock he suffered in Cape Town.
For Arendse, this is more than a recall. It is another chance to unleash the acceleration, instinct and predatory finishing that have produced 25 tries in 33 Tests.
Rassie Erasmus admitted the 29-year-old was unlucky to miss last Saturday’s 33-26 victory after Kolbe recovered from his niggle.
“Kurt-Lee was unlucky not to play last week after Cheslin recovered from his niggle, so we are pleased to see him back,” Erasmus said. “He is a quality player and his 25 tries in 33 matches so far shows the type of player he is.”
That statistic is difficult to ignore. Arendse does not need a motorway to make an impact. Give him a crack in the defensive traffic and he can disappear through it like a sports car with the throttle pinned.
His return also changes the complexion of the Bok back three.
Kolbe’s move to No 15 brings his dancing feet, tactical nous and counter-attacking instincts into the last line of defence, while Arendse restores a specialist finisher on the wing.
It is a reshuffle born from necessity, yet one that could inject fresh attacking fizz into a Springbok side determined to seize control of the series.
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Willemse and Handre Pollard are unavailable, while Erasmus has otherwise resisted the temptation to rip up a winning combination.
“It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series,” Erasmus said.
The front row also returns to its original configuration, with Ox Nche, Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx starting after Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit and Deon Fourie made way for the replacements bench.
Erasmus said the changes were influenced by Johannesburg’s conditions and the need to manage a gruelling Test campaign.
The stakes have now climbed another rung. South Africa and New Zealand are locked at 1-1, with the winner at FNB Stadium moving two games clear with the USA finale looming.
“We know how it felt after the first match in Johannesburg,” Erasmus said. “Such a result really galvanises a team.”
He expects the All Blacks to arrive with their backs against the wall and their fists swinging.
“This will undoubtedly be another epic encounter,” he said.
With an 80 000-strong crowd potentially roaring through the vuvuzelas, Erasmus expects a cauldron rather than rugby pitch.
“Composure and accuracy are going to be vital for both sides,” he said.
For Arendse, the equation is simpler.
Find space. Find the ball. Find the try line.
The machine is switched on again.
South Africa: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.
Date: Saturday, September 5
Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto
Kick-off: 17.10
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
