It all comes down to this. The Springboks now have what may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become world champions – something that would mean so much to our country and our people.

“We may not be favourites, but these players will leave nothing in the tank. We know how the wins in 1995 and 2007 lifted the country – even if it was momentarily. We want to give South Africa that experience once again.”

Rassie Erasmus, director of rugby on Wednesday said that wing Cheslin Kolbe returns to the Springbok team in the only change to the match 23 for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against England at Yokohama International Stadium at 11:00 CAT. He regains the right wing berth from stand-in, Barberton born S’bu Nkosi, in the only change to the team that eased their way to a 19-16 victory over Wales in Sunday’s semi-final.

Siya Kolisi will lead the team out for the 20th time, as he becomes the eighth player in the 23 to have won 50 caps.

Erasmus named the now familiar six-two split on the bench to field a settled line-up, 22 of whom will appear together for the fourth time in the tournament.

This line-up first played together in the play-off, clinching a 49-3 win over Italy a month ago and were retained for the quarter-final, semi-final and now final. Only Kolbe’s ankle injury interrupted the pattern.

“Chessie is fully fit and ready to go,” said Erasmus.
“It’s tough on S’bu to drop out of the 23 altogether but, like the other seven non-playing squad members – and the two injured players back home (Trevor Nyakane and Jesse Kriel) – he has made vital contributions to our campaign.

“But we have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency, and although we know there are things we can do better, this is a fit, well-practised set of combinations who know what they have to do on Saturday.”

That momentum has seen the Springboks lose only once in 11 tests in 2019, during which they claimed the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and climbed back into the top two of the World Rugby rankings for the first time since August 2015. Now rugby’s biggest prize is just 80 minutes away.

“Getting to this stage is not enough for this team,” said Erasmus.
“We know the excitement that there is back home and that the country may well be coming to a standstill on Saturday lunchtime in South Africa. There’s a huge weight of expectation.”
Kolisi has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Francois Pienaar and John Smit by becoming the third Springbok captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. It would be achieved on the occasion of his 50th cap: Pienaar did it on his 21st appearance and Smit on his 74th.

“It’s a great achievement for Siya,” said Erasmus.
“Any Springbok captain carries a heavy load – probably doubly so in Siya’s case – and he has really risen to the occasion over the past two years.

“No one is hiding from the significance that would be attached to him lifting the trophy on behalf of this team and South Africa. But first and foremost on Saturday this is a rugby match that we’re only focused on winning.”

Individual stats
Most points
1. Yu Tamura (Japan) 51
2. Handré Pollard (RSA) 47
3. Owen Farrell (England) 46
4. Dan Biggar (Wales) 39; Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand) 39
Most tries scored
1. Josh Adams (Wales) 6
2. Kotaro Matsushima (Japan) 5; Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa) 5
3. Julian Montoya (Argentina) 4; Kenki Fukuoka (Japan) 4
Most penalties
1. Yu Tamura (Japan) 11
2. Handré Pollard (South Africa) 10
3. Owen Farrell (England) 8
4. Dan Biggar (Wales) 6; Felipe Berchesi (Uruguay) 6
Most conversions
1. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand) 15
2. Elton Jantjies (South Africa) 14
3. Owen Farrell (England) 11
4. Dan Biggar (Wales) 9
5. Yu Tamura (Japan) 9
Tackles made
1. Allun Wyn Jones (Wales) 70
2. Pieter Labuschagne (Japan) 68
3. James Moore (Japan) 67; TJ Ioane (Samoa) 67
4. Sam Underhill (England) 62
Only one drop goal has been scored in the RWC – by Camille Lopez of France.

Also read: Disneyland then World Cup as Kolisi’s dad makes first overseas trip

Teams stats
Points scored
1. South Africa 230
2. New Zealand 210
3. England 178
4. Wales 172
5. Australia 152
Tries scored
1. South Africa 31
2. New Zealand 30
3. England 22
4. Australia 21
5. Ireland 20
Penalties converted
1. England 12
2. Japan 11
3. South Africa 10
4. Wales 10
5. Australia 7
Tries converted
1. New Zealand 23
2. South Africa 21
3. Wales 17
4. England 16
5. Ireland 15
Tackles made
1. Wales 721
2. Japan 688
3. Uruguay 644
4. South Africa 660
5. New Zealand 645