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.