Damian Willemse Ruled Out

Rugby · Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026

Springboks Team Announcement  |  Monday, August 31, 2026

The Springboks have been dealt a fresh injury blow just days after leveling their series with New Zealand, confirming that fullback Damian Willemse will miss Saturday's crucial third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the diagnosis as a hamstring injury sustained in the closing moments of the first half during South Africa's 33-26 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town, a result that squared Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series at 1-1.

Willemse went down attempting a tackle in the final play before halftime and was unable to continue, receiving treatment on the field before making his way down the tunnel as the players left for the break. Manie Libbok was brought on at flyhalf for the second half, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu shifting across to cover fullback in Willemse's absence for the remainder of the match.

Erasmus confirms the setback

"Damian Willemse? Ja, he's injured his hamstring, he's out for next week," Erasmus said plainly when asked about the utility back's status after the final whistle in Cape Town.

It's a frustrating blow for both player and team. Willemse, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and one of South Africa's most versatile backs — equally capable at fullback, flyhalf or centre — had started the first two Tests of the series and was central to Erasmus's game plan heading into the pivotal third match. His absence leaves the head coach with another selection puzzle to solve on the eve of a Test that could hand South Africa a series lead with one match still to play.

How the Springboks have responded

Erasmus wasted little time addressing the gap in his lineup. Four changes were made to the starting team that beat New Zealand in Cape Town, with Cheslin Kolbe — who kicked 18 points and was named Man of the Match in the second Test — shifting from right wing to fullback to deputize for Willemse. Kurt-Lee Arendse, in turn, moves into the vacated No. 14 jersey. The starting front row from the Cape Town victory, loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp, 39-year-old hooker Deon Fourie, and tighthead prop Thomas du Toit, has been named to start again from the bench this week, continuing Erasmus's rotation policy through the front row.

Willemse is also not the only frontline absence for the Springboks this week: flyhalf Handre Pollard was similarly unavailable for selection, adding to the reshuffling required of Erasmus's backline as he finalizes his match-23 for Saturday.

What it means for the series

The timing could hardly be more significant. South Africa's win in Cape Town not only leveled the series but also returned the Springboks to the No. 1 world ranking, setting up a straight shootout for series advantage in Johannesburg. Losing a player of Willemse's versatility and experience at fullback is a non-trivial setback against an All Blacks side that will be desperate to respond after their own disappointment in Cape Town, but Erasmus's depth at the back — and Kolbe's proven quality under the high ball — gives the Springboks a like-for-like standard even amid the disruption.

Situation at a glance

Detail	Information
Player	Damian Willemse (fullback)
Injury	Hamstring
Sustained	End of first half, 2nd Test vs. All Blacks, Cape Town
Ruled out of	3rd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg — September 5
Replacement at fullback	Cheslin Kolbe (moved from wing)
New right wing	Kurt-Lee Arendse
Also unavailable	Handre Pollard (flyhalf)
Current series score	1–1

Looking ahead

The Springboks and All Blacks meet again in Soweto this Saturday, with South Africa looking to move 2-1 up in the four-match series before the tour concludes with a historic fourth Test at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 12 — the first-ever Springboks–All Blacks Test to be staged in the United States. Willemse's recovery timeline for that final match has not yet been confirmed.

Sources

• The42 — "Springboks switch Kolbe to fullback for third All Blacks Test"
• Ruck — "Statement: Springboks star stood down with immediate effect"
• RugbyPass — "Springboks make four changes for third Test as injury hits again"
• RugbyLad — "Springboks suffer major injury blow ahead of third All Blacks Test"
• SA Rugby Magazine — "Bok playmaker out of third Test"
• Bona Magazine — "Springbok star ruled out of crucial 3rd Test"

Also Read: Rassie vs. Dave Rennie Scrum Row

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