New back row in All Blacks team to play the Springboks

The All Blacks have named their 23 to face the Springboks at Eden Park with a back row reshuffle ahead of Ardie Savea’s 100th Test.

Simon Parker has been named to start at No.6, with Tupou Vaa’i moving back to lock to partner captain Scott Barrett in the second row.

It will be Parker’s second consecutive start after debuting against Argentina in Buenos Aires at No.8.

Playing his 100th, Savea will play openside flanker alongside returning flanker Wallace Sititi who has been named in the No.8 jersey. Sititi returned from injury off the bench and makes his first start of the year.

In the backs the coaches have remained consistent, with just one change. Emoni Narawa comes onto the right wing to replace Sevu Reece.

They have stuck with Rieko Ioane on the left wing, Will Jordan at fullback and the midfield combination of Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor.

In the halves Finlay Christie will start with Beauden Barrett with debutant Kyle Preston named in the reserves.

The reserve forwards have a lot of firepower with Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax in the front row. Fabian Holland returns to the bench while Du’Plessis Kirifi is the loose forward reserve.

Damian McKenzie and Quinn Tupaea are the back reserves along with Preston.

All Blacks team to play South Africa: 

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Taylor
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Simon Parker
7. Ardie Savea (vc)
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Finlay Christie
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Billy Proctor
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Will Jordan

Reserves

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Tyrel Lomax
19. Fabian Holland
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi
21. Kyle Preston*
22. Quinn Tupaea
23. Damian McKenzie