Springboks vs All Blacks 4th Test: Willemse Returns for Baltimore Decider

Rassie Erasmus isn’t ripping up a winning team just because the scenery has changed. The Springbok coach has made only two changes to the starting XV that beat New Zealand 29-24 in Soweto, bringing Damian Willemse back at fullback and promoting Morné van den Berg from the bench.

Willemse replaces Cheslin Kolbe, who suffered a broken jaw during the third Test, while Van den Berg takes over from Cobus Reinach at scrumhalf. Reinach moves to the replacements bench.

Everything else stays intact. That means that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues at flyhalf, the powerful Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw front row gets another start, and Siya Kolisi leads a side that can seal a 3-1 series victory at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday.

South Africa lead the four-Test series 2-1 after recovering from defeat at Ellis Park to win in Cape Town and Soweto. One final job remains, this time on unfamiliar ground in Baltimore.

Rassie Backs the Team That Turned the Series Around

There were opportunities for Erasmus to rotate. The Boks are playing their fourth Test against New Zealand in four weeks, several players have carried a heavy workload and the match is taking place after another long-distance flight.

Instead, Erasmus has backed continuity. Thirteen of the players who started at FNB Stadium retain their places. The midfield combination of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel remains unchanged, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Ethan Hooker continue on the wings.

Up front, Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortjé start in the second row. Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese complete the same loose trio that helped South Africa take control of the third Test.

Erasmus described the team as well settled after its performances in Cape Town and Soweto. The selection certainly reads that way. This isn’t a side being used to experiment at the end of a tour. It has been picked to finish the series.

Damian Willemse Returns at Fullback

Willemse’s return provides a straightforward solution to the loss of Kolbe. Kolbe started the third Test at fullback but lasted only 10 minutes before leaving the field. It was later confirmed that he had fractured his jaw and would not travel to the United States. Willemse has now been cleared to return and steps directly into the No. 15 jersey.

His inclusion restores a familiar presence at the back without forcing Erasmus to disrupt the rest of the backline. Arendse stays on the right wing, Hooker keeps his place on the left and Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains at flyhalf.

The Boks will lose some of the individual threat Kolbe brings from broken field, but Willemse offers his own attacking versatility. He can step into the first-receiver role, cover several positions and give South Africa another kicking option when the shape of the game begins to change. That flexibility could become especially useful with Manie Libbok waiting on the bench.

Morné van den Berg Gets the No. 9 Jersey

The only tactical change to the starting side comes at scrumhalf. Van den Berg replaces Reinach after featuring from the bench in the previous two victories. It’s a significant opportunity for the Lions scrumhalf, but he isn’t being dropped into an unfamiliar combination.

He partners Feinberg-Mngomezulu, while the forward pack in front of him is unchanged. Van den Berg brings speed around the breakdown and won’t be afraid to test the space close to the ruck. The greater challenge will be balancing that tempo with the territorial control South Africa will need against a desperate All Blacks side.

Reinach moving to the bench gives the Boks an experienced option later in the match. If the contest becomes loose, his pace can punish tired defenders. If South Africa are protecting a lead, his experience should help manage the closing stages.

The Heavyweight Front Row Stays Put

Nché, Marx and Louw were central to the physical pressure that changed the third Test. South Africa’s scrum forced a penalty try before halftime in Soweto, while Marx later completed a maul that travelled more than 20 metres before crossing the New Zealand line.

All three start again in Baltimore. The message isn’t subtle. The Boks want to apply pressure from the opening whistle rather than save all their front-row power for the second half.

Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit provide the replacements, with Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen and Cameron Hanekom completing a six-forward bench.

That split gives Erasmus enough weight to maintain the physical challenge after halftime, while Reinach and Libbok cover the backline.

Springboks Team to Face the All Blacks

Springboks Replacements

Etzebeth is set to make his 146th Test appearance, extending his record as the most-capped Springbok. South Africa have also won seven of their last nine Tests against New Zealand since August 2023.

The All Blacks Have Bigger Changes to Make

While South Africa arrive with a settled side, New Zealand must rebuild several important combinations.

Captain Ardie Savea is unavailable after dislocating his shoulder in Soweto. Luke Jacobson has an elbow injury, while centre Quinn Tupaea has also returned home after suffering a knee ligament injury.

Savea’s absence is particularly significant. He scored two tries before leaving the third Test and remains one of New Zealand’s most effective carriers and breakdown threats.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has already confirmed that changes are coming. He also needs to appoint a new captain and decide whether Ruben Love remains at flyhalf or Richie Mo’unga returns to the Test side.

Mo’unga was added to the touring group as an injury replacement and hasn’t played for New Zealand since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. Until Rennie confirms his team, however, his possible return remains a selection question rather than a confirmed change.

Discipline will be another major concern for New Zealand. The All Blacks conceded 12 penalties in Soweto, lost Love to a yellow card and surrendered a penalty try after their scrum was driven backwards near its own line.

When Is Springboks vs All Blacks Test 4?

The Springboks face the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, 12 September 2026.

Kick-off is scheduled for 23:00 SAST, with the match broadcast live in South Africa on SuperSport.

It will be the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand staged in the United States and the final match of the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

A South African victory would complete a 3-1 series win. A draw would also leave the Boks as series winners, while New Zealand need a victory to finish level at 2-2.

Baltimore Is No Exhibition Match

Taking this rivalry to the United States adds novelty, but the stakes remain very real. The Springboks have fought back from 1-0 down and now have the chance to finish the tour with three consecutive wins. The All Blacks can’t win the series, but they can deny South Africa an outright victory and return home with the contest level.

Rassie has shown exactly how seriously he views that threat. Willemse is back. Van den Berg gets his opportunity. The heavy artillery remains in place. Now the Boks have 80 minutes to finish what they started in Cape Town.

The Betting Read

The Springboks deserve to enter the Baltimore Test with confidence, but the 2-1 scoreline shouldn’t be mistaken for evidence of a comfortable gap between these teams.

South Africa won the last two Tests by seven and five points. New Zealand have also scored at least four tries in every match of the series, even when the Bok forwards have controlled long periods.

That makes a large Springbok handicap difficult to accept without seeing the final number and New Zealand team.

Savea’s absence weakens the All Blacks around the breakdown and removes one of their best close-range carriers. Jacobson and Tupaea being unavailable creates further disruption. Still, New Zealand’s attacking threat doesn’t disappear because three players are missing.

The totals market deserves attention after the first three Tests produced 49, 59 and 53 points. Both sides have created tries regularly, but Baltimore introduces new variables. The neutral venue, travel schedule, playing surface and unfamiliar matchday routine could all affect the tempo.

South Africa’s bench may provide the cleaner angle. The Boks have selected six forwards and have repeatedly grown stronger as matches have progressed. If the starting pack forces New Zealand to make a high number of tackles, second-half or live markets could become more attractive than taking a position before kick-off.

Van den Berg’s selection matters here too. A faster service from the breakdown could help South Africa attack before the All Blacks have reset, but it may also produce a more open match if the Boks increase the tempo.

We’d check the confirmed New Zealand team, weather and final market numbers before placing anything. Our Test rugby betting guide explains how handicaps, totals and team news should be assessed before a major international.

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