Dave Rennie has reshuffled his pack for the series-defining third Test against the Springboks at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, promoting Asafo Aumua, Sam Darry and Peter Lakai to the starting XV as the All Blacks look to regain the momentum that deserted them in Cape Town. Tupou Vaa’i, who earns his 50th Test cap, is one of five players reaching milestone appearances in a match that neither side can afford to lose.

Key squad news:

• Tupou Vaa’i to earn his 50th Test cap at FNB Stadium; one of five milestone men this weekend
• Asafo Aumua starts at hooker; Codie Taylor drops out of matchday 23 entirely
• Sam Darry starts at lock alongside Vaa’i; Fabian Holland drops to the bench
• Peter Lakai promoted to starting blindside; Simon Parker drops out of the 23
• Wallace Sititi named in a Test matchday 23 for the first time in the series
• Backline unchanged from the second Test; the team that loses cannot win the series

The changes are all in the forward pack. Aumua starts at hooker with Samisoni Taukei’aho providing impact off the bench, meaning 110-cap veteran Codie Taylor drops out of the matchday 23 for the first time in the series. Darry comes into the second row for his 11th Test alongside Vaa’i, with Fabian Holland — who started the first two Tests — moving to the bench. Lakai takes the number six jersey, while Wallace Sititi makes his first appearance in a Test matchday squad during this series, offering loose forward impact from the reserves.

“Tupes is a top man. It’ll be a special day for him and his family and additional motivation for us,” Rennie said of Vaa’i’s milestone.

“With both teams heading into the third Test one apiece, there’s everything to play for on Saturday. The team that doesn’t win this weekend can’t win the series. That’s the kind of challenge we love to rise to.

“The team is feeling fresh after a full week’s lead in to the game and we can’t wait to put everything out on the park.”

The selection of Aumua over Taylor is the most significant call. The Hurricanes hooker was part of the replacement front row that transformed the first Test at Ellis Park, helping reverse the Springboks’ scrum dominance and earning the pivotal 56th-minute scrum penalty that changed the match. His explosive carrying at close quarters and aggressive scrummaging profile better suit the direct approach Rennie is seeking to combat the Springboks’ physicality, which overwhelmed the All Blacks in the opening exchanges of the second Test.

Darry’s promotion alongside Vaa’i creates a taller, more physical locking combination. The Blues lock stands 2.01 metres and brings a more aggressive edge at the lineout than the 2.04-metre Holland, who has been outstanding on tour but paid the price for the All Blacks’ struggles in the collision area last weekend. Holland’s inclusion on the bench ensures Rennie retains the option to introduce his breakdown prowess later in the contest.

Lakai’s elevation to blindside flanker is another nod to the increased physicality Rennie wants from his starting loose forward unit. The Hurricanes back-rower was named man of the match against the Stormers and has been one of the most dynamic carriers on tour, averaging over 40 metres per match. His promotion comes at the expense of Simon Parker, who started the second Test and was one of the few All Blacks forwards to match the Springboks’ intensity in Cape Town but drops out of the 23 entirely.

Sititi’s inclusion on the bench is significant. The Chiefs number eight has endured a frustrating tour — ruled out of the Stormers match through illness and then overlooked for both Test matchday squads. His return gives Rennie a powerful loose forward option to inject from the bench, offering a different profile to Lakai’s ball-carrying dynamism.

The backline is unchanged from Cape Town. Cam Roigard and Ruben Love pair in the halves, with Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea in the midfield, and Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan and Leroy Carter in the back three. Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown and Josh Moorby provide the backs cover from the bench.

The match is rich with milestones. Alongside Vaa’i’s 50th cap, McKenzie plays his 80th Test, Jordan his 60th, Fletcher Newell his 40th and Luke Jacobson his 30th. Ardie Savea captains from number eight in his 112th Test. Savea’s try in Cape Town last weekend — his 33rd in Tests — took the Savea brothers’ combined tally to a world record 79 Test tries for siblings, passing the Barrett brothers’ mark of 78.

Rennie paid tribute to the All Blacks’ fanbase, both in South Africa and at home. “We’ve really felt the support not only from our travelling army of Kiwi fans and fans here in South Africa, but also the New Zealand public back home,” he said. “It’s been massive for us and we look forward to more of the same this weekend.”

This is the ninth time in 13 Test series between the two nations that the results have been level at one-all heading into the third match. The All Blacks have played twice previously at FNB Stadium, winning 29-22 in 2010 and 32-16 in 2012. The 87,000-capacity venue — the largest in Africa — will host the biggest crowd of the tour.

The match will be preceded by an historic first meeting between the Black Ferns and the Springbok Women on South African soil, kicking off at 1.30pm local time.

All Blacks team for the third Test

FNB Stadium, Johannesburg. Saturday 5 September, kick-off 5.10pm local time (3.10am Sunday 6 September NZT).

1. George Bower (28 caps), 2. Asafo Aumua (24), 3. Tyrel Lomax (53), 4. Tupou Vaa’i (49), 5. Sam Darry (10), 6. Peter Lakai (12), 7. Luke Jacobson (29), 8. Ardie Savea (c) (111), 9. Cam Roigard (22), 10. Ruben Love (10), 11. Leroy Carter (9), 12. Jordie Barrett (83), 13. Quinn Tupaea (28), 14. Will Jordan (59), 15. Damian McKenzie (79).

Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (44), 17. Xavier Numia (3), 18. Fletcher Newell (39), 19. Fabian Holland (14), 20. Wallace Sititi (21), 21. Kyle Preston (3), 22. Anton Lienert-Brown (92), 23. Josh Moorby (3).

Len Ikitau will make his long-awaited return to the Wallabies starting XV for the first time under Les Kiss, reuniting with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the midfield as the new coach makes eight changes to his starting side for the second Flight Centre Series Test against Argentina at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza on Sunday morning.

Key team news:

• Len Ikitau returns for his first Test under Les Kiss, reuniting with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in their 17th midfield start together
• Ben Donaldson starts at fly-half for the first time since 2024, with Carter Gordon dropped to the bench
• Captain Harry Wilson returns at number eight; Tom Hooper rested as a precaution after shoulder injury
• Angus Bell, Billy Pollard and Taniela Tupou form a new starting front row
• Tom Wright set to bring up 50 caps; Filipo Daugunu starts on the wing
• Tate McDermott misses out with a knee knock; Kalani Thomas named as replacement scrum-half

Ikitau, the reigning John Eales Medallist, has not played for Australia since the 57-10 victory over Italy on 18 July, having missed all five Tests since with the ankle injury that has disrupted his 2026 campaign. The 53-cap Brumbies centre will wear the number 12 jersey alongside Suaalii, re-establishing a partnership that has started together 16 times in the Wallabies’ last 25 Tests.

Your 23 to face Los Pumas in Mendoza, Argentina 🦘 pic.twitter.com/kiZJZbq7bI

— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 3, 2026

“We want competitive pressure on each position,” Kiss said. “We saw Su come off the bench last week. We worked Lenny back into a good training profile over the last two weeks, and he’s ready to play. Really looking forward to seeing that combination come along. It’s got a lot of experience together, so that’s a big plus. Both class players, it’s an opportunity to see them back together for sure.”

The return of Ikitau and Suaalii means Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry, who impressed as a midfield partnership across three Tests, both miss the starting XV. Henry is named on the bench while Paisami drops out of the matchday 23 entirely, despite what Kiss described as a “smashing” performance in the 27-21 win in Jujuy last weekend.

The other significant backline change sees Ben Donaldson handed a rare start at fly-half — his first since the corresponding fixture against Argentina in 2024 and his first run-on appearance in 2026. Carter Gordon, who suffered a facial injury in Jujuy but has been cleared to play, drops to the bench as Kiss continues his audition of the three playmakers vying for the number 10 jersey ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“From the outset, we wanted to make sure we saw the 10s, all of them, in some form,” Kiss said. “Dec [Meredith] had a good run early with three Tests, Carter’s come in, with Ben on the bench. He’s had a great season, Dono. We felt it was just an opportunity to make sure he just feels Test-ready again as we move into the rest of the season.

“The three 10s that are here have been very good all year. If we come up to a big game suddenly later down the year and someone hasn’t played a Test match for a while, we just felt it was the right time to do something there as well. Thinking forward, we definitely start to narrow down our options for sure.”

Since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Donaldson has started at fly-half only twice — against Georgia and Argentina — while Noah Lolesio (12 starts), Tane Edmed (five), Tom Lynagh (four), Gordon (four), James O’Connor (four) and Declan Meredith (three) have all been given more opportunities in the position. The 27-year-old Western Force playmaker will partner Ryan Lonergan, who has recovered from the knock he took making a try-saving tackle in Jujuy and will start his seventh consecutive Test.

Captain Harry Wilson returns at number eight after being rested for the first Test, reforming his familiar back-row combination with Rob Valetini, who shifts to blindside flanker, and last week’s Player of the Match Fraser McReight at openside. Tom Hooper, who scored his maiden Test try and was among the best in Jujuy, has been left out as a precautionary measure after his shoulder injury. “He was right, it was just not risking it any further,” Kiss said. “He’ll be available for the next Test match after this one, then he goes back to Exeter.”

The front row has been entirely replaced, with Angus Bell, Billy Pollard and Taniela Tupou starting in place of Isaac Kailea, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan Alaalatoa, all of whom have been rested. Tupou returns after sitting out the first Test, having scored three tries across the two Japan matches. Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams retain their places in the second row.

Filipo Daugunu earns a start on the wing for the first time since last year’s Test against Ireland in Dublin, with Harry Potter dropping out of the side after his yellow card in Jujuy. Max Jorgensen starts on the opposite wing, while fullback Tom Wright is set to bring up his 50th cap for Australia — a milestone that has been building since his debut against New Zealand in 2020.

The bench features a near-full Queensland Reds contingent, with hooker Josh Nasser, props Aidan Ross and Massimo De Lutiis, lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and scrum-half Kalani Thomas among the replacements. Thomas comes in for the injured Tate McDermott, who is dealing with a knee knock, and is set for his second Test cap after debuting against France in Paris last November. Charlie Cale provides back-row cover, with Gordon and Henry completing the matchday 23.

Kiss conceded that his period of experimentation is nearing its end. “They’ve had a good look at me and the new coaching team and we’ve had a good look at them — they’ve all had an opportunity to contribute,” he said. “Thinking forward, we will definitely start to narrow down our options. That’s in every position.”

The Wallabies are chasing a fifth consecutive win for the first time since 2021, and the chance to claim the Puma Trophy for the first time since 2022 with a series sweep. But history sounds a warning: in both their 2022 and 2024 tours to Argentina, the Wallabies followed up first-Test wins with heavy second-Test defeats. Winger Jorgensen, who was on the wrong end of the 67-27 thrashing in Santa Fe in 2024, said the memory still stings.

“A big motivation is looking back at two years ago when we were over here last time,” Jorgensen said. “We had a close win in the first game, then went to Santa Fe the week after and put in a pretty poor performance and lost by a fair bit, as everyone knows. It obviously hurts deep down losing a Test match by that much, so it’s definitely at the back of our minds.”

Argentina have made six changes of their own, with Santiago Carreras shifting to fullback and the uncapped Nicolás Roger named at fly-half. Pablo Matera continues as captain in the absence of Julián Montoya.

“After a physical Test last week, we’ve brought in some fresh bodies alongside some existing combinations as we continue to look to build Test experience across the group,” Kiss said. “We’re expecting a strong response from Argentina on Saturday and we know we will need to keep stepping up our game in all areas.”

Wallabies team to play Argentina

Starting XV: 15. Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies, 49 caps), 14. Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs, 26 caps), 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 23 caps), 12. Len Ikitau (ACT Brumbies, 53 caps), 11. Filipo Daugunu (Queensland Reds, 23 caps), 10. Ben Donaldson (Western Force, 24 caps), 9. Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies, 11 caps), 8. Harry Wilson (c) (Queensland Reds, 41 caps), 7. Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 45 caps), 6. Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies, 67 caps), 5. Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 31 caps), 4. Josh Canham (Queensland Reds, 7 caps), 3. Taniela Tupou (Racing 92, 72 caps), 2. Billy Pollard (ACT Brumbies, 23 caps), 1. Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 56 caps).

Replacements: 16. Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds, 15 caps), 17. Aidan Ross (Queensland Reds, 5 caps), 18. Massimo De Lutiis (Queensland Reds, 2 caps), 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds, 46 caps), 20. Charlie Cale (ACT Brumbies, 5 caps), 21. Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds, 1 cap), 22. Carter Gordon (Queensland Reds, 12 caps), 23. Isaac Henry (Queensland Reds, 3 caps).

Match details: Argentina v Wallabies, Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza. Sunday 6 September, 7.00am AEST.

Rassie Erasmus has resisted wholesale change and opted for continuity in his Springbok selection for the pivotal third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, making four changes and one positional switch to the side that levelled the series with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town.

Key team news:

• Cheslin Kolbe shifts from wing to fullback to cover the injured Damian Willemse, who suffered a hamstring injury in Cape Town but is expected to travel for the series finale in Baltimore
• Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the right wing after missing the second Test
• The original starting front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw is restored, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit reverting to the bench
• Handre Pollard remains unavailable through a calf injury; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues at fly-half with Manie Libbok on the bench
• The loose trio of Kolisi, du Toit and Jasper Wiese will set a new Springbok record of 18 Test starts together
• Eben Etzebeth extends his record as the most capped Springbok to 145 Tests
• It is only the third Test between the sides at FNB Stadium, with the All Blacks winning both previous encounters in 2010 and 2012

The only change to the matchday 23 from Cape Town is Arendse’s inclusion for the unavailable Willemse, with all other personnel retained. The front-row swap — restoring Nche, Marx and Louw to their starting roles after Erasmus controversially flipped them with their bench counterparts an hour before kick-off in the second Test — is in effect a reversion to the original plan rather than a fresh change.

The #Springboks have named their match-23 for Saturday's third Test in #RugbysGreatestRivalry – more here: https://t.co/sJ2laG8ea8 🇿🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/xPHoGxHOFw

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 31, 2026

“It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series and we thought that the players who did the job for us last week really showed composure and did well to stick to the plan and what we wanted to achieve last week,” Erasmus said.

“Unfortunately, Damian Willemse took a knock in the first half and was not available for selection this weekend, and neither was Handre Pollard, and by sticking to these combinations and making one switch with Cheslin at fullback, we thought it would be the best for this match.”

Kolbe’s move to fullback is a significant tactical shift. The 32-year-old has played the majority of his international career on the wing but proved an electric presence at 15 during his time in France, and his return of 18 points from the boot in Cape Town — where he landed all his shots at goal — underlines the additional goal-kicking dimension he provides. His aerial skills and devastating counter-attacking ability should translate seamlessly to the last line of defence.

Erasmus was warm in his praise for Arendse’s return. “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,” the Springbok coach said.

On the front-row rotation, Erasmus explained: “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, and that is exactly what we need against a never-say-die team like the All Blacks, who play for the full 80 minutes.”

However, given Erasmus’s track record of late adjustments — he changed his Cape Town line-up three times in the space of a week — there is no guarantee this will be the formation that takes the field on Saturday. All Blacks assistant coach Mike Blair acknowledged as much. “You take notice of it, but you take it with a pinch of salt as well,” Blair said. “It gives us a little bit of an idea potentially of what they might be thinking, but we’re not going to spend huge amounts of time planning for a certain individual in a certain position when we’re pretty aware that can change right up until kickoff.”

The remainder of the side is settled. Captain Kolisi leads the loose trio alongside du Toit and Wiese for what will be a record-breaking 18th Test start as a combination, surpassing the 17 they currently share with the trio of Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen. Etzebeth partners Ruan Nortje in the second row and will extend his all-time caps record to 145. In the backline, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Reinach continue at half-back, with de Allende and Kriel in midfield and Hooker retaining the left wing.

The bench is unchanged from Cape Town’s eventual matchday selection, with Fourie, Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit providing front-row impact, de Jager offering second-row and lineout depth, and Esterhuizen and Hanekom covering the loose forwards. Van den Berg and Libbok are the two replacement backs.

Saturday’s venue adds a layer of occasion. FNB Stadium, which can hold up to 94,500 spectators, has hosted the Springboks against the All Blacks only twice before — in 2010 and 2012 — with New Zealand winning both. It will be the first Test between the sides at the ground in 14 years.

“We are excited that we will be playing at the FNB Stadium, where on a good day there is an 80,000-strong crowd, and that will be a new and exciting experience for our players because most of these players have never run onto the field there,” Erasmus 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.”

With the series level at 1-1 and Saturday’s result potentially giving the winner a decisive 2-1 lead ahead of the finale in Baltimore, the stakes could hardly be higher. Erasmus expected another bruising encounter.

“This game is going to be equally, if not more intense than the last two given the fact that the team that wins this match will be two games up in the series, which will make the clash in the USA the decider or game that could see the series finish in a draw,” he said. “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.”

Springboks:
15. Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Stormers, 52 caps)
14. Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars, 33 caps)
13. Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles, 92 caps)
12. Damian de Allende (Wild Knights, 101 caps)
11. Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 11 caps)
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers, 22 caps)
9. Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers, 55 caps)
8. Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks, 47 caps)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz, 100 caps)
6. Siya Kolisi (c) (DHL Stormers, 105 caps)
5. Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears, 22 caps)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 144 caps)
3. Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers, 33 caps)
2. Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears, 91 caps)
1. Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 50 caps)

Replacements:
16. Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers, 14 caps)
17. Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls, 21 caps)
18. Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 35 caps)
19. Lood de Jager (Wild Knights, 75 caps)
20. Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 33 caps)
21. Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls, 4 caps)
22. Morne van den Berg (Lions, 8 caps)
23. Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners, 32 caps)

Match details: South Africa v New Zealand, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg/Soweto. Saturday 5 September, 17:10 (local time). Live on SuperSport.