Springboks team to play All Blacks: Rassie Erasmus goes early again

The Springboks boss will reveal his side on Monday morning at 10am UK time, continuing his policy of naming teams unusually early during the blockbuster four-Test series.

South Africa's team announcement is scheduled for 11:30am local time (10:30am UK), with Erasmus expected to make several changes following Saturday's dramatic 33-26 victory in Cape Town.

That result levelled Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at 1-1 ahead of Saturday's enormous third Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

Erasmus has already shown during this series that an early announcement doesn't necessarily mean the team will remain unchanged.

Ahead of the second Test, Handre Pollard was initially selected at fly-half before injury handed Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu the No.10 jersey, while Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe were also confirmed later in the week.

Erasmus then produced another surprise shortly before kick-off by swapping his entire starting front row, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit promoted from the bench.

One change already appears unavoidable.

Damian Willemse is expected to miss the third Test after suffering a hamstring injury during the first half in Cape Town. The fullback failed to return after the interval, with Erasmus subsequently indicating he was unlikely to be available for Soweto.

That leaves Erasmus with a major decision at No.15, while the likes of Cameron Hanekom, André Esterhuizen and Manie Libbok could also come into the selection conversation.

RUCK believes Hanekom deserves an opportunity at number eight following another mixed outing from Jasper Wiese, while Esterhuizen could provide another hugely physical option in midfield.

15 Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Stormers)

14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars)

13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)

11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)

9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers)

8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)

6 Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers)

5 Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears)

4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

3 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers)

2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)

1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Replacements:

16 Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers)

17 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls)

18 Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

19 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)

20 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

21 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)

22 Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions)

23 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners)

The third Test takes place at FNB Stadium on Saturday, September 5, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10 local time.

With the series locked at 1-1 and only the Baltimore finale to follow, Saturday's encounter could prove decisive.

But how many of their last 25 captains can you remember? Test your rugby knowledge and see if you can name every player to have led the Springboks in their most recent appearances.