Rassie Erasmus welcomed Kurt-Lee Arendse back into the Springbok starting XV for Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, while explaining the need for continuity.
Erasmus made four changes and one positional switch to the team that beat the All Blacks 33-26 in Cape Town to level the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The front row of Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw, who were moved to the bench shortly before kick-off in Cape Town, return to the starting lineup. Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit revert to the bench.
Damian Willemse’s hamstring injury sees Cheslin Kolbe shift to fullback and Arendse come onto the right wing.
Arendse was initially included in last week’s team, but dropped out when Kolbe was cleared to play after taking a knock at Ellis Park.
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“It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series,” Erasmus said. “We thought that the players who did the job for us last week really showed composure and did well to stick to the plan.”
Erasmus said Willemse and flyhalf Handré Pollard (calf injury) were both unavailable, making continuity important.
“By sticking to these combinations and making one switch with Cheslin at fullback, we thought it would be the best for this match.
“Kurt-Lee was unlucky not to play last week after Cheslin recovered from his niggle, so we are pleased to see him back. He is a quality player and his 25 tries in 33 matches so far shows the type of player he is.”
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Erasmus also explained his decision to revert to the front row originally selected to start the second Test.
“We decided to change our front rows last week due to the weather conditions, and Johannesburg weather is different to Cape Town, so we thought this would be the best decision for us this weekend.
“Gerhard, Thomas and Deon have played massive games for us, and at the same time know how to deal with pressure.”
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With the series locked at 1-1, Erasmus expects an All Blacks response similar to the one demanded of his own team after their opening defeat at Ellis Park.
“We know how it felt after the first match in Johannesburg, and such a result really galvanises a team,” he said.
“They are one of the two best teams in the world and based on experience, they never give up, as we saw last weekend.
“After two games, we are both into hard Test rugby mode, and we have a good idea of what to expect from one another, so it is going to be another grind of a match.”
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Erasmus expects the stakes to raise the intensity further at the 94,000-capacity FNB Stadium.
“This game is going to be equally, if not more intense than the last two,” he said.
“With the vuvuzelas and passionate crowd there, we can hardly hear one another on the field, so we are all thrilled about this occasion.
“But make no mistake, this is going to be another intense battle between the two top teams in the world who are both looking to get an edge in the series.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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