Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has rolled the dice with a new-look backline for Saturday’s rematch against the All Blacks in Wellington.

The Bok mentor has handed Ethan Hooker his first Test start and is backing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ahead of Handré Pollard at flyhalf.

The 22-year-old Hooker, who impressed off the bench in his first two Tests, runs out on the left wing, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets the nod in the pivotal No 10 jersey after his impact in Auckland.

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They form part of seven changes to the starting XV as the Boks bid to hit back in round four of the Rugby Championship and wrest back the Freedom Cup.

Cobus Reinach partners Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, with Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie combining in midfield, and Aphelele Fassi returning at fullback. Up front, captain Siya Kolisi shifts back to the side of the scrum alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Jasper Wiese returns at No 8 from suspension.

Lood de Jager is restored to the second row next to Ruan Nortjé, but the front row of Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit remains intact.

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“This is an exciting team, which we believe will provide us with the forward power we require, and spark in the backline against a quality All Blacks side,” Erasmus said. “We know where we went wrong last week and what we must fix. This is a vital match for our Rugby Championship campaign, and we’ll leave no stone unturned.”

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SPRINGBOKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Bench: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 André Esterhuizen.

Rassie Erasmus has made a number of tweaks to the #Springboks team for Saturday’s second clash against the All Blacks in New Zealand 🫡#ForeverGreenForeverGold

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 8, 2025

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images