South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has talked up the significance to the Springboks facing New Zealand at the cavernous Soccer City in the sprawling Johannesburg township of Soweto, a place deeply rooted in the country’s history.

For both sides, to win the South Africa leg of the tour 2-1 would in many ways mean job done, whatever happens in Baltimore. Some 87,500 tickets have gone on sale at ⁠Soccer City for the clash in Soweto, an area synonymous with the struggle ​against ⁠apartheid and more of a ‌traditional football hot-bed with the country’s two most supported clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, like a religion for locals.

"So many things that happened in Soweto helped shape the South Africa we have today," Kolisi said. "So many heroes have come from there and a lot of the football history of this country is from Soweto, so we know how special that is. We’re ⁠not going to act like it’s not a special ground in a significant area. All of that gives us more to play for. We are also thankful for the people who came from there and fought for people like me to be sitting here today.

"They fought for the freedom we have now and never got to experience it, and giving our best tomorrow is part of us saying thank you. Hopefully we can do that with a win and change the history between the two teams here."

New Zealand haven’t looked to their attacking contestable game too often in this series, with South Africa generally on top in that area. That may change today in the absence of Damian Willemse – Cheslin Kolbe is superb in just about every facet but relatively untested as a full-back at this level. No doubt, he’ll take to it smoothly, but I’d expect the All Blacks to look to test his backfield coverage with varied kick styles and kickers, particularly given the presence of all of Ruben Love, Jordie Barrett and Damian McKenzie in the backline.

Those changes in the pack suggest that New Zealand know they must improve at the set-piece. Codie Taylor has long been regarded as an outstanding operator in that regard but hasn’t hit the marks with his darts in this series, and Asafo Aumua is starting to put together a rounded game to go with the freakish athleticism that first marked him out as a top talent. Obviously the scrum remains a key battle, too, but the lack of any lineout platform was more the factor that cost the All Blacks in the second Test.

Dave Rennie freshens up his forward pack after two tough Tests, with centurion Codie Taylor overlooked at hooker as Asafo Aumua starts. Sam Darry partners Tupou Vaa’i in the second row with Josh Lord not yet ready for consideration after his head injury, while Peter Lakai adds extra mobility on the blindside flank.

The backline is unchanged, with Ruben Love and Damian McKenzie again forming a playmaking partnership at 10 and 15.

New Zealand XV: 1 George Bower, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry; 6 Peter Lakai, 7 Luke Jacobson, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 Cam Roigard, 10 Ruben Love; 11 Leroy Carter, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Damian McKenzie.

Repacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Wallace Sititi; 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.

Damian Willemse is ruled out for South Africa in a major injury blow, with Cheslin Kolbe relocating to full-back for just his second start at No 15 in his Test career. Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the wing, while Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw are listed to start having been switched to the bench late on before the second Test last Saturday.

Five forwards and the hybrid Andre Esterhuizen lurk to provide power off the bench.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Ethan Hooker, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 15 Cheslin Kolbe.

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom; 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.

A little bit of housekeeping – there’ll be no flyover ahead of kick off today, after the pilots last week in Cape Town rather scared the bejeezus out of everyone with their daring drop to just above the stadium roof.

That all plays into some of the deeper context behind this landmark series.

Wondering why this series concludes in Baltimore and not somewhere in South Africa? Well, it has a little to do with money and a lot to do with rugby’s attempts to crack the USA.

Need a reminder of the full tour itinerary? We’ve just two games left in our first helping of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry – which has delivered, on the whole....

There’s no Damian Willemse for South Africa today, which is a bit of a blow given his aerial acumen and excellence...well, everywhere. Cheslin Kolbe moves to full-back.