RWC 2019 winning halfback pairing return for final with New Zealand

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has named his 23 to take on old rivals New Zealand in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France in Paris.

Following a late 16-15 victory over England in a match that didn't go their way until the final ten or so minutes, Nienaber has opted to recall the 2019 Rugby World Cup winning halfback pairing of Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk.

They will become the most capped nine-and-ten combination in Springbok history. The pair start together for the 25th time, moving past Joost van der Westhuizen and Henry Honiball (24 Tests).

Coach Nienaber has opted for a 7-1 split, with Willie le Roux the only back on the bench, while Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok, who both started in the semi final against England, drop out of the 23 altogether.

In the forward pack, No 8 Jasper Wiese and lock Jean Kleyn are drafted onto the bench, having been among the non-playing squad last week.

Trevor Nyakane also comes in for Vincent Koch, the only enforced change, who is struggling with a knee injury.

SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE THE ALL BLACKS

1 Steven Kitshoff

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi

3 Frans Malherbe

4 Eben Etzebeth

5 Franco Mostert

6 Siya Kolisi (c)

7 Pieter-Steph Du Toit

8 Duane Vermeulen

9 Faf de Klerk

10 Handre Pollard

11 Cheslin Kolbe

12 Damian de Allende

13 Jesse Kriel

14 Kurt-Lee Arendse

15 Damian Willemse

Replacements:

16 Deon Fourie

17 Ox Nche

18 Trevor Nyakane

19 Jean Kleyn

20 RG Snyman

21 Kwagga Smith

22 Jasper Wiese

23 Willie Le Roux

The team is the most experienced in Springbok history, featuring 10 players who started in the RWC final four years ago (plus four on the bench were also part of the match) and has a combined total of 987 caps (eclipsing the record set the previous week against England of 895 Test caps).

“This is an experienced team with several players who played in the last Rugby World Cup final and who know exactly what to expect at Stade de France on Saturday and what it will take to retain the title,” said Nienaber.

The average caps per player in the backline is 50, the forwards 80, while the players on the bench average 38.

“The players who will be playing in their first World Cup final have also proven their worth as warriors throughout this campaign and they are all ready for this massive occasion.

“We have said many times that we pick teams for varying gameplans depending on the opponent and that we use all 23 players to try and achieve those goals.

“We’ve gone from a five-three bench split to a seven-one split to give us the best chance of being successful. We have plans in place to mitigate for injuries in the backline, but we’re excited about our plan and we embrace the risk.”

Nienaber added that the squad was focused on making the country and the team’s 60 million plus supporters proud this weekend.

“The messages of support and videos from home have inspired us immensely and we know the magnitude of this occasion, not just for the players and management – who have made huge sacrifices to get us here – but for what this day means for our country,” said Nienaber.

“We are proud of the fact that we have given some hope and excitement to so many people in the last few months, and we’ll give everything to bring further joy to our wonderful nation on Saturday.”

New Zealand will name their team at 18:00 (CET) this evening.