Rugby World Cup final: Here are the key replacements in New Zealand and South Africa XV

The upcoming finale between South Africa and New Zealand in the World Cup will see changes in the lineup ahead of the rugby match.

Lock Brodie Retallick will be replacing Sam Whitelock from the New Zealand team. If Whitelock is off the bench, he will become the first man to win three World Cup finals.

Others who are still in the lineup are Brothers Scott, Jordie and Beauden Barrett in the starting XV from the side. This arrangement helped the team in the semi-finals to win.


The other change in the lineup ahead of the finals is Nepo Laulala who will replace Fletcher Newell.

Centurions Retallick, Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett will together be the survivors of New Zealand's last triumph in the 2015 final.

In the finale, the New Zealand team will be playing with all their might to avenge their 35-7 record defeat by the Springboks at Twickenham before they travelled to France for the tournament.

Defending champions South Africa also have made changes in their lineup ahead of the big game. Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard are set to replace Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.

The two sides have their own sets of records in the rugby world. With 987 caps among their XV, South Africa has named the most experienced Boks team ever, while New Zealand's side boasts 981 caps.

Line Up of New Zealand:
XV: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane (capt), Savea.

Replacements: Taukei'aho, Williams, Laulala, Whitelock, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.

Line Up of 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.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)