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5h ago

Pollard and Veterans Brought Back as Springboks Chase Series After All Blacks’ Ellis Park Win

Erasmus has reintroduced experienced starters to address South Africa’s breakdown and finishing errors in a series that now favours New Zealand.

Rugby Union - New Zealand tour of South Africa - South Africa v New Zealand - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 22, 2026 South Africa players look dejected after the match REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Rugby Union - New Zealand tour of South Africa - South Africa v New Zealand - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 22, 2026 South Africa's Eben Etzebeth celebrates with teammates after the match REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
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Rugby Union - New Zealand tour of South Africa - South Africa v New Zealand - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 22, 2026 New Zealand's Jordie Barrett celebrates after the match REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Overview

  • New Zealand beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday, scoring five tries to one and reclaiming the world No.1 ranking.
  • South Africa named Handré Pollard at fly-half, Cobus Reinach at scrum-half and Ethan Hooker on the wing while Siya Kolisi is bracketed for selection and Pieter-Steph du Toit will win his 100th cap.
  • The bench includes veteran Deon Fourie who, if used, would become the oldest Springbok to play a Test, reflecting a move to experience after the opening defeat.
  • New Zealand have been forced into late changes as Anton Segner was withdrawn with an acute inflammatory ankle issue and Ethan De Groot and Josh Lord were put on a 12-day concussion stand-down with immediate cover flown in.
  • With the second Test in Cape Town now a must-win for the Springboks, coaches face compressed turnaround decisions where concussion protocols, player fitness and the need to convert territory into points will determine the series trajectory.