Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard named in South Africa side for Rugby World Cup final - ‘Proven their worth as warriors’

Jacques Nienaber has named Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard in the South Africa side to face New Zealand in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final.

The half-backs come in as the two changes to the team that beat England 16-15 on Saturday, with Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok dropping out of the squad altogether.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi will start after World Rugby deemed there was "insufficient evidence" to charge him over the alleged racial slur against Tom Curry.

A from World Rugby read: "Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation. Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.

"It is important to note that World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious."

After announcing the news of his selection, Nienaber said: "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.

"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 know we are in for a colossal battle. Every point and inch will count in this match and we know it will take another top-class effort to come out on top on Saturday."

It will be a landmark day for De Klerk and Pollard, who will play alongside each other for the 25th time and break the record set by Joost van der Westhuizen and Henry Honiball.

There is plenty of experience in this Springboks side, with Franco Mostert and Steve Kitshoff the only two players who did not feature in the starting line-up for their 2019 final victory over England.

Meanwhile, lock Jean Kleyn and number eight Jasper Wiese come onto the bench, the former having changed allegiances after playing for Ireland at the 2019 World Cup.

The squad in full is as follows:

South Africa: 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.

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