Rassie Erasmus has backed continuity for the Springboks’ pivotal two-Test tour of New Zealand, naming a 36-man group that will look to keep South Africa’s Rugby Championship defence alive in back-to-back showdowns against the All Blacks.

The Bok coach retained almost the entire squad that featured in the opening two rounds against Australia, with only Cobus Wiese dropping out and veteran wing Makazole Mapimpi recalled to bolster the back three stocks in the absence of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe.

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South Africa face the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on 6 September before moving to Sky Stadium in Wellington a week later – matches that could prove decisive in a Rugby Championship campaign where all four teams currently sit on one win apiece.

Erasmus said the squad’s familiarity and fitness would be key in tackling the toughest away trip in world rugby.

“This group of players have been working hard together since our first training camp in June, and most of them have been playing together for years, while the newer players in the squad showed in the Castle Lager Incoming Series and in the last two matches against Australia that they are ready for this challenge,” he explained.

There was further good news with Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willie le Roux and Jan-Hendrik Wessels all cleared to play, while Erasmus confirmed that all the players who faced Australia in Cape Town have received a clean bill of health and will be ready to face the All Blacks.

Jasper Wiese remains suspended for the first Test but will be available in Wellington.

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Erasmus underlined the scale of the task, pointing to the form of all four Rugby Championship sides and the long-running rivalry with New Zealand.

“Facing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a massive challenge, but all the teams in this competition are ranked among the top sides in the world, and each one has the potential to beat one another on the day. We won our last four matches against them dating back to 2023, which marked only the second time in history that we defeated them four times in a row, and there is no doubt that will motivate both teams.”

The squad departs for New Zealand on Tuesday, giving them time to acclimatise before a tour Erasmus believes could define the season.

“The Rugby Championship is still wide open… we know exactly what we have to do to reach our standards and improve as the competition progresses, and I don’t think we need more motivation than that.”