Springboks' Etzebeth Cleared to Play Against All Blacks from Bench

South African lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared to play against New Zealand in Johannesburg for the Rugby Championship, despite his initial exclusion due to injury. Coach Rassie Erasmus drafted him into the squad amid a second-row crisis. Etzebeth is set to earn his 125th cap.

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared to face New Zealand in the Rugby Championship showdown in Johannesburg on Saturday. Although he was initially excluded from the team due to injury, he will start from the bench.

Coach Rassie Erasmus originally omitted Etzebeth from the matchday 23 announced earlier this week. However, given a crisis in the second row, Erasmus has now included the double World Cup winner in the replacements. Etzebeth will take the place of flanker Marco van Staden on the bench, and if he takes the field, he will earn his 125th cap, making him second on South Africa's all-time list.

Regular flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit will start at lock against the All Blacks alongside Ruan Nortje. The Springboks are currently leading the Rugby Championship table, with New Zealand in second place. The updated Springboks squad for the Saturday match includes Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, and other top players.