Four players return to face the Springboks in the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park on Saturday.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named scrumhalf Cam Roigard, winger Will Jordan and fullback Damian McKenzie in his starting backline, while captain Ardie Savea will make his first appearance of the tour after arriving late in South Africa following a rest period.
Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie had all been carrying injury concerns ahead of the Test.
Roigard will earn just his second appearance against the Boks, having come off the bench at Twickenham in 2023.
He partners Ruben Love at halfback, with Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea continuing their midfield combination. Josh Moorby, who will face the Boks for the first time, joins Jordan and McKenzie in the back three.
Savea returns at No 8 and will earn his 110th Test cap alongside hooker Codie Taylor, who reaches the same milestone.
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Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax complete the front row with Taylor, while Josh Lord and Fabian Holland are paired at lock. Tupou Vaa’i and Luke Jacobson join Savea in the loose trio.
Anton Segner and Peter Lakai could make their first appearances against the Boks from the bench. They are joined among the forward replacements by Asafo Aumua, George Bower and Fletcher Newell, with Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown and Leroy Carter providing backline cover.
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“After all the build-up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first Test underway,” Rennie said.
“We have selected a balanced mix of big-match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first Test.
“The first three franchise games have exposed our newer players to the way South African teams play and have been fantastic in helping us build combinations and develop the game we want to play.
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“We know the Test series will be a huge step up. We’re well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear.
“They are No 1 in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday.”
ALL BLACKS – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post All Blacks load up for Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Four players return to face the Springboks in the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park on Saturday.
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