Key trio Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie have all been named to start for the All Blacks in what is a huge boost for the visitors before Sunday’s Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg.
Halfback Roigard (calf) and right wing Jordan (back) both missed the first three tour games in South Africa, while McKenzie has recovered from a sprained ankle suffered during the win over the Sharks in Durban.
All three are integral components of the All Blacks’ running game which head coach Dave Rennie hopes will be enough to get the better of the world champions at Ellis Park.
Josh Moorby will start on the left wing in what is another key and contested position for the All Blacks following Caleb Clarke’s departure with injury which means the backline is the same as the one which started in the victory over Ireland at Eden Park last month.
Josh Lord will start alongside Fabian Holland in the second row, with Tupou Vaa’i predictably named at blindside flanker. That means the All Blacks will have a tall and explosive lineout to challenge the Boks as well as a big and mobile pack.
Skipper Ardie Savea returns to No.8 for his first game on tour, with Luke Jacobson named at openside flanker and fellow loose forwards Peter Lakai and Anton Segner on the bench.
Another indicator of Rennie’s wish to play at a high tempo is the fact that there is no back-up lock – Vaa’i can do the job there and in Lakai and Segner the All Blacks have an in-form and pacy pair who have thoroughly impressed so far on tour.
Kyle Preston, who has also shone, is the back-up halfback in the wake of Cortez Ratima’s knee problem, with fellow backs reserves Anton Lienert-Brown and Leroy also poised to bring impact.
Asafo Aumua, George Bower and Fletcher Newell will attempt to do the same in the front row.
Rennie will probably hope that now he has announced his team for the first “Greatest Rivalry” Test the focus will be on the contest rather than individuals and press conferences.
The Boks recently doubled down on their attempts to unsettle the visitors via assistant coach Felix Jones, who inferred Rennie has been coaching his players to stray outside the laws of the game.
It reminded observers of the Boks’ media tactics during the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour after which Boks head coach Rassie Erasmus was banned for two months for bringing the game into disrepute.
The Boks will be big favourites to win the first Test but the All Blacks will feel they are well prepared after their three victories on tour, including last weekend’s against the Bulls on the highveld.
South Africa have not played since their 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires on August 9.
“After all the build-up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first Test under way,” Rennie said in a statement.
“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.
“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 number one 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 team to play the Springboks at Ellis Park
Sunday, 3am NZT
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea ©, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie.
Reserves: 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.
Match facts
(Curated by NZ Rugby)
• The All Blacks have played South Africa 110 times, for 63 wins, 43 losses and four draws. The first game was in 1921 at Carisbrook, Dunedin, which the All Blacks won 13-5. The last match between the great rivals was last year in Wellington, which the Springboks won 43-10.
• The All Blacks have played the Springboks at Ellis Park 16 times, with South African winning 10 and the All Blacks six.
• This year’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is the 13th Test series between the All Blacks and Springboks. The ledger is tied at five each, with the first two series drawn (1921 and 1928). The Springboks then won five of the next seven to 1976. New Zealand had won only at home, in 1956 and 1965, having lost at home in 1937. New Zealand has won the last three series, 1981 and 1994 at home, and 1996 in South Africa, the famous first away victory.
• The Springboks and the All Blacks are currently ranked first and second in the men’s world rankings and have combined to win seven of the 10 Rugby World Cups contested since the tournament began in 1987. The All Blacks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 1987, 2011 and 2015, while South Africa have won it four times, in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023.
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