All Blacks turn to fresh bodies with seven changes for Springboks finale

The All Blacks selectors have brought in reinforcements for the Greatest Rivalry finale in Baltimore, making seven personnel changes to the starting XV to face the Springboks.

Four changes are injury-related, with Ethan de Groot returning to start after a head injury, while Ethan Blackadder, Patrick Tuipulotu and Anton Lienert-Brown join the starting team after Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea suffered tour-ending injuries.

Savea’s departure also signals a change in captaincy, with Codie Taylor returning to the starting XV after a rest week and taking charge, as he did at the start of the tour.

The remaining changes in the starting XV include Fletcher Newell’s promotion, Richie Mo’unga’s first Test match since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final at No.10, and Josh Moorby reclaiming the left wing spot.

Cam Roigard, Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie continue their run of starting every Test to begin the Dave Rennie era. Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i and Peter Lakai are also running it back after starting last week in Johannesburg, albeit not necessarily in the same positions.

The bench includes New Zealand’s most-experienced player, Beauden Barrett, in his first Test selection of the year, and Rieko Ioane, who has also only worn the black jersey against the URC club teams earlier on the tour. Josh Lord returns from injury with a bench selection.

“We always planned for there to be a number of changes for this match,” Rennie said. “Every player here has worked incredibly hard over the last seven weeks to prepare the team for the seven games we’ve played so far, and all those selected for this Test fully deserve it.

“We have everything to play for on Saturday. It is our chance to draw the series and end the tour with a performance to be proud of.

“We have had incredible support travelling with us throughout the tour and amazing support back at home. We want to put in a performance that shows how much we appreciate that. We also want to honour the players and management who have returned home early but contributed so much.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

33

24

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

60%

All Blacks team to play the Springboks

1. Ethan de Groot (44)
2. Codie Taylor (111) – Captain
3. Fletcher Newell (40)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (58)
5. Sam Darry (11)
6. Tupou Vaa’I (50)
7. Ethan Blackadder (14)
8. Peter Lakai (13)
9. Cam Roigard (23)
10. Richie Mo’unga (56)
11. Josh Moorby (4)
12. Jordie Barrett (84)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (93)
14. Will Jordan (60)
15. Damian McKenzie (80)

Reserves

16. Asafo Aumua (25)
17. Xavier Numia (4)
18. Tyrel Lomax (54)
19. Josh Lord (16)
20. Wallace Sititi (22)
21. Kyle Preston (4)
22. Rieko Ioane (88)
23. Beauden Barrett (144)