BALTIMORE, United States — 8 September 2026: South Africa have named their match-day 23 for Saturday's fourth Test against New Zealand in Baltimore. Damian Willemse returns at fullback for the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while Morné van den Berg starts at scrumhalf. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains at flyhalf and Siya Kolisi captains the side.
Who is in the Springboks team for Baltimore? Damian Willemse and Morné van den Berg are the two changes to South Africa's starting side. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stays at flyhalf, Siya Kolisi leads an unchanged forward pack, and Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach provide halfback cover from the bench.
Full Springboks team for Baltimore
New Zealand Rugby's official match preview confirms that the Springboks have changed two starters from the team that won 29-24 in Soweto. Willemse takes over at fullback because Kolbe fractured his jaw, and Van den Berg is promoted from the replacements to start at scrumhalf.
The replacements are Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.
Reuters independently reported the same match-day 23. Its account also notes that Etzebeth is set to extend his South African appearance record to 146 Tests.
Why Willemse and Van den Berg start
Willemse's return gives South Africa an experienced fullback after Kolbe was ruled out with a fractured jaw. The change restores Willemse to a familiar position without forcing a wider backline reshuffle.
Van den Berg moves into the starting role after playing from the bench in the third Test. Erasmus said the scrumhalf deserved the opportunity after making a strong impact. Reinach shifts to the replacements, where his experience gives the team an established option later in the contest.
The flyhalf decision has attracted particular attention. SA Rugby Magazine reported Erasmus's explanation that Feinberg-Mngomezulu's defence and energy suited the starting role, while Libbok's ability to handle pressure could be valuable in the final stages. Handré Pollard is being managed toward the later match against Australia.
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Springboks Name Baltimore Team to Face All Blacks
Sep 8, 2026
Sep 8, 2026
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BALTIMORE, United States — 8 September 2026: South Africa have named their match-day 23 for Saturday's fourth Test against New Zealand in Baltimore. Damian Willemse returns at fullback for the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while Morné van den Berg starts at scrumhalf. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains at flyhalf and Siya Kolisi captains the side.
Who is in the Springboks team for Baltimore? Damian Willemse and Morné van den Berg are the two changes to South Africa's starting side. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stays at flyhalf, Siya Kolisi leads an unchanged forward pack, and Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach provide halfback cover from the bench.
Full Springboks team for Baltimore
New Zealand Rugby's official match preview confirms that the Springboks have changed two starters from the team that won 29-24 in Soweto. Willemse takes over at fullback because Kolbe fractured his jaw, and Van den Berg is promoted from the replacements to start at scrumhalf.
The replacements are Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.
Reuters independently reported the same match-day 23. Its account also notes that Etzebeth is set to extend his South African appearance record to 146 Tests.
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Why Willemse and Van den Berg start
Willemse's return gives South Africa an experienced fullback after Kolbe was ruled out with a fractured jaw. The change restores Willemse to a familiar position without forcing a wider backline reshuffle.
Van den Berg moves into the starting role after playing from the bench in the third Test. Erasmus said the scrumhalf deserved the opportunity after making a strong impact. Reinach shifts to the replacements, where his experience gives the team an established option later in the contest.
The flyhalf decision has attracted particular attention. SA Rugby Magazine reported Erasmus's explanation that Feinberg-Mngomezulu's defence and energy suited the starting role, while Libbok's ability to handle pressure could be valuable in the final stages. Handré Pollard is being managed toward the later match against Australia.
XTRAfrica's earlier background on Rassie Erasmus's Springbok coaching team explains the leadership structure behind the selection. The new lineup is a match-specific decision, not a wholesale change of direction.
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What the Baltimore Test decides
South Africa lead the four-Test series 2-1 after victories in Cape Town and Soweto. A Springbok win in Baltimore would secure the series outright. A New Zealand win would level it at 2-2.
That distinction is important because the series was not completed by the 29-24 result in Johannesburg. The official SA Rugby Baltimore announcement identifies the United States fixture as the fourth and final Test. The teams will meet at M&T Bank Stadium in a rare neutral-venue conclusion to their rivalry.
Erasmus has kept the starting forward pack intact. Nché, Marx and Louw form the front row; Etzebeth and Nortjé continue at lock; Kolisi, Du Toit and Wiese remain the loose trio. That continuity places the selection emphasis on backfield stability and scrumhalf tempo rather than a change to South Africa's set-piece base.
The match also gives Feinberg-Mngomezulu another start in a series that has placed the No. 10 role under close scrutiny. Search interest around his name rose sharply after the team announcement, but the selection itself is the verified story: he starts, with Libbok covering from the bench.
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Watching the final selection updates
The named 23 is the official plan, but match-day squads can still change through injury or illness. Supporters should follow the two unions for late replacements and final logistical information.
XTRAfrica's older guides to South African sports broadcasts and weekend rugby viewing provide general broadcaster context, although their dated schedules should not be used as confirmation for this match.
Current listings from the rights-holder remain the reliable source for channel and start-time details.For now, the selection is clear: Willemse and Van den Berg enter the starting XV, the forwards stay together, and South Africa take a 2-1 advantage to Baltimore with the series still open.
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