New Zealand vs South Africa – Rugby World Cup final LIVE: Bongi Mbonambi starts for Jacques Nienaber’s side looking for second consecutive world title

Jacques Nienaber’s side claimed a dramatic late victory against England in last Saturday’s semi-final.

So far they’ve had an interesting tournament, suffering a defeat by Ireland in the group stages before narrowly coming back to beat England by a point to book their place in the semi finals.

Following on from that physical encounter, the team have made two changes to their starting 15.

Opting for a change in their half-backs, Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard come in to replace Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok at No 9 and fly-half.

Interestingly Reinach and Libbok have been dropped from the squad entirely.

That means Spring Boks have opted to include only one back on their bench, full-back Willie le Roux, with Rassie Erasmus and Nienaber opting for their classic 7-1 split on the bench.

Bongi Mbonambi will start at hooker today after he was cleared by World Rugby to play after he was accused of a racial slur by England flanker Tom Curry during their semi-final clash last weekend.

South Africa XV: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Smith, Wiese, Le Roux.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: Pieter-Steph Du Toit of South Africa arrives at the stadium prior to g the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Ramos - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: Fans of South Africa enjoy the pre-match atmosphere prior to the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: A fan of South Africa poses for a photo prior to the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)



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