Cheslin Kolbe will take no further part in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series after breaking his jaw inside the opening 10 minutes of South Africa's 28-24 victory over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium in Soweto — the win that gave the Springboks a 2-1 series lead.
Erasmus confirmed the injury after the match and named the other players who will not travel with the squad on the charter flight to Baltimore for the series finale. Carlu Sadie, Boan Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Ben-Jason Dixon — who is still managing concussion symptoms — will all remain behind alongside Kolbe.
Damian Willemse and Aphelele Fassi are set to cover the fullback position, while Herschel Jantjies will fly with the squad to provide scrumhalf depth. Grant Williams is also being considered as a wing option, and Canan Moodie is returning to fitness.
Erasmus reflected on his selection approach across the series, noting that the continuity he opted for in the decisive third Test was a deliberate departure from the rotation strategy used in the Nations Championship. "We tried to manage the minutes in the Nations Championship, and we chopped and changed to find the solutions," he said. "I felt this game, minutes-wise it was very important. At half-time, I worried that we got it wrong because the guys were breathing heavily, but we had a good bench."
The All Blacks also head to Baltimore with notable absentees. Ardie Savea sustained a shoulder injury in Soweto and will miss the fourth Test, while centre Quinn Tupaea is in doubt with an MCL knee injury.