Erasmus makes just two changes for Baltimore finale as Boks chase 3-1 series win

Rassie Erasmus has named his Springbok team for Saturday's fourth and final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore, making only two changes from the side that won the third Test in Johannesburg.

Damian Willemse returns at fullback after missing last week with a hamstring niggle, having started the first two Tests of the series. Morné van den Berg, who made a strong impact off the bench in Johannesburg, is rewarded with a start at scrumhalf, with Cobus Reinach moving to the bench.

"Morné made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start, so Cobus switches to the bench where he will add experience and skill in this vital match," Erasmus said.

Erasmus was candid about the journey Van den Berg has had to this point. "He's not a young player — I think he's 27 or something like that already. We've always tracked him, and I think he's just been unfortunate with injuries and also some really good nines that played ahead of him. After his last injury, we thought it was going to be a tough year for him to get back into the mix, but he really did his rehab well, and he's back to full fitness."

The minimal selection shake-up is deliberate. Rather than rotating widely, Erasmus is prioritising continuity and a settled combination to close out the series 3-1. "We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches," he said. "We believe selecting the same matchday squad makes sense for the closing match of the series."

Erasmus was equally emphatic about the size of the challenge. "We have faced the All Blacks three weeks in a row, and just like us, they are a proud team who showed last week that they will never stop fighting until the final whistle. We are under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge ahead."

Handré Pollard and Franco Mostert are both in line to return for the Rugby Championship match against Australia on 26 September, with Erasmus confirming both are fit and available for selection.