South Africa’s rugby coach Rassie Erasmus made only one change to the starting XV to face England in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final with Cheslin Kolbe replacing S’bu Nkosi on the right wing.
Kolbe had been a doubt for the final due to an ankle injury suffered during the 49-3 win against Italy during the pool stage, which also kept him out of the semifinal win against Wales.
However, Erasmus confirmed on Tuesday that the Springboks will have a fully fit squad of 31 players available and ready to train.
Erasmus acknowledged Nkosi’s contributions to the team while noting that it was tough on the winger to drop into one of the non-squad playing members.
“We have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency, and although we know there are things we can do better this is a fit, well-practiced set of combinations who know what they have to do on Saturday,” Erasmus said.
Of the 23 players in the match-day squad, 22 of them will lineup together for the fourth time, since the win against Italy, at this tournament.
Erasmus also named a substitutes bench with six forwards and two backs in what is expected to be a physical game in Yokohama. World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Herschel Jantjies is one of the two backs on the bench.
Captain Siya Kolisi, who will lead the Springboks for the 20th time, will become the eighth player in the team to win 50 caps.
This will be the fifth meeting between South Africa and England at a Rugby World Cup. The Springboks have been victorious on three occasions, including the 2007 RWC final in France.
Erasmus has described the final as a “once-in-a-lifetime chance to become World Champions” noting the significance a win would have on the country and its people.
“We may not be favourites but these players will leave nothing in the tank. We know how the wins in 1995 and 2007 lifted the country – even if it was momentarily. We want to give South Africa that experience once again.”
