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Willemse replaces Kolbe for Springboks' All Blacks series decider / Photo: © AFP/File
Willemse replaces Kolbe for Springboks' All Blacks series decider
Damian Willemse will replace the injured Cheslin Kolbe at full-back in two changes named by South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday for this weekend's series decider against New Zealand in Baltimore.
Fleet-footed Kolbe broke his jaw in Saturday's 29-24 win in Johannesburg as the Rugby World Cup holders went 2-1 up in the four-match series, titled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.
Morne van den Berg coming in for Cobus Reinach at scrum-half is the only other aleration for this Saturday's match at the home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
"Damian started the first two Tests and had it not been for a niggle last week, he would have also started that match, so it's good to have him back," Erasmus said.
"He is a quality player, and he knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week.
"Morne, meanwhile, made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start, so Cobus switches to the bench where he will add experience and skill in this vital match," the 53-year-old added.
Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu keeps his place despite a rusty performance last time out with the more experienced Manie Libbok on the bench.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 24, suffered an ankle injury earlier in the year sidelining him for the Boks' three opening Test of the year.
"Sacha, obviously there's some areas where he's not 100 per cent hitting his traps for us yet," Erasmus said.
"But we must remember he was out for a very long time. It was only his fourth game back.
"And Manie, we feel he can come on after five minutes if Sacha gets injured, we know he can handle the pressure.
"We might need him later in the game, like we did last weekend."
South Africa (15-1)
Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth; Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok
Coach: Rassie Erasmus (RSA)
K. Berger--BTZ
