Eight possible bolters for the All Blacks' 44-man squad to tour South Africa

On Monday, July 27, All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie will name his 44-man squad to travel on the Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa.

Next month’s tour, which includes four games against South African domestic sides and four Tests, the last of which is in Baltimore, will be a proper litmus test of where Rennie’s side are, less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The All Blacks got through the three Nations Championship July fixtures without major injury, with Codie Taylor’s calf strain the only concern ahead of the tour.

Assuming the 34-man squad are fit and available, Rennie will add ten players to the Nations Championship group to travel to South Africa.

A possible hooker injury cover replacement for Taylor, who will likely miss the first two domestic fixtures on the tour with a calf strain, could extend the travelling group to 45.

Out of the ten players, which Rennie announced was largely picked prior to this week, one is likely to be World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year Fabian Holland, if passed fit after a hitout for Otago in NPC pre-season on Friday against Mid Canterbury.

The others, though, are up for debate, with the coaching staff weighing up whether to go for a 6-4 split of forwards to backs, or 7-3, as discussed last week in Auckland.

The options not discussed in this piece, who are likely contenders to be included, are veteran outside-back Rieko Ioane, Hurricanes co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi, Chiefs prop Ollie Norris, Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham, hooker George Bell, and loose-forwards Christian Lio-Willie and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.

“So there’s 10 others that’ll come in; it’s a likely six-four split, but maybe not, maybe seven-three. Yeah, and we’ve picked a potential group, and then it’ll depend on how guys get through,” Rennie told media in Auckland ahead of the Ireland Test.

Here are eight possible bolters that Rennie may look to for his additional ten spots in the touring squad.

Isaac Hutchinson – Chiefs, Outside-back

After an impressive month of Super Rugby Pacific form for the Chiefs, the versatile outside-back couldn’t have been far from All Black selection, especially if his semi-final leg injury didn’t keep him out of the 2026 final.

Hutchinson, from St Bede’s College in Christchurch, played for the Touch Blacks U18 team in 2022, and has gone through the ranks of the Canterbury NPC team before making his debut with the Chiefs in 2026.

The outside-back showcased an uncanny ability to break a tackle when the defence looks set, squeezing through gaps with leg strength and hitting the line at pace.

Hutchinson’s run-first mentality and gliding ability with ball in hand, skills Rennie clearly values, can help provide more fullback and wing cover for this All Blacks squad.

It’s early for the 22-year-old, but his attitude and playing style in his short career tell you he would attack the opportunity from the front on.

Lucas Casey – Highlanders, Loose-forward

Casey was part of the All Blacks’ non-finalist camp in Auckland the week of the Super Rugby Pacific final, and could have found his way into the frame on pure athleticism and form.

The Highlanders loosie burst onto the scene for Otago in the NPC last season, where he scored a double against Canterbury in the famous Ranfurly Shield victory, a performance in which Casey caught people’s attention.

Then, it was a season of growth for the Highlanders under Jamie Joseph, who couldn’t speak higher of Casey for his work rate and desire to learn in a professional environment.

On the field, Casey’s everywhere. His footwork at the line is exceptional, and that often makes him a nightmare for opposition defenders. Casey can play No.7 and No.8, providing a versatile and exciting option for the All Blacks coaching staff, now or in the future.

Adam Lennox – Highlanders, Halfback

The fourth halfback spot is an intriguing one. Rennie left Hotham at home for the Nations Championship campaign, liking what he saw from Crusaders teammate Kyle Preston instead.

There’s no denying Lennox’s elite running game and ability to snipe around the ruck and threaten defenders. The Highlanders halfback started for the Maori All Blacks against the Japan XV last month, and had a superb season for the Dunedin-based franchise.

Lennox has popped up with important tries with his electrifying pace, beating out Beauden Barrett on one occasion during the Super Rugby Pacific season, and has filled in on the left-wing multiple times for the Highlanders in 2026.

The 23-year-old halfback has a relationship with former Taranaki head coach Neil Barnes, which may play a part if he is to be elevated to a fourth-halfback role for South Africa.

Jack Taylor – Highlanders, Hooker

The Highlanders lineout struggled all season long without Fabian Holland, but around the field, Taylor certainly didn’t.

Taylor’s skillset is phenomenal. Around the paddock, Taylor is aggressive and dominant on both sides of the ball, as well as a bundle of energy.

His astonishing kicking game for a hooker is a point of difference, and he would thrive under Rennie’s coaching style, due to his work rate and ability around the field.

One to watch, for sure.

Malachi Wrampling – Blues, Loose-forward

One of the more promising athletes going around. Has lacked discipline at times, and picked up a niggly suspension at Super Rugby Pacific level for a high shot.

But if the All Blacks think he can sort those moments of lack of composure, then the Blues loose-forward is a superb option to develop.

Wrampling is combative, aggressive, powerful, and has a low leg drive carry that will be needed in South Africa. At 192cm and 112kg, the versatile loose-forward, who can play blindside or No.8, has the ability and strength to move bodies on both sides of the ball, a must for Rennie’s back row.

The physicality and brutality that Rennie continues to talk about is exactly the attributes Wrampling brings to the table; it’s just a matter of when, not if.

Siale Lauaki – Hurricanes, Prop

Another prop out of the Hurricanes, who, like many others, has improved under Jamie Mackintosh’s guidance.

The All Blacks XV prop can play on both sides, is a physical presence on both sides of the ball, and is a young up-and-coming scrummager with bags of potential.

Rennie could go to Ofa Tu’ungafasi, whose experience could be crucial in South Africa, but this writer would like to see the coaching staff back their talent coming through, if the opportunity is right.

Lauaki is in better form than other options, and is one player that All Blacks scrum coach Jason Ryan could help develop into a force at international level.

The 23-year-old is a definite option to use and develop in the four domestic encounters in the republic.

Eli Oudenryn – Blues, Hooker

Now we’re in huge bolter territory. Oudenryn made three appearances for the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific season, and made every post a winner.

The Tasman hooker scored in two 2026 appearances, one of which was a Dane Coles-esque play, kicking ahead a bouncing ball and diving on it after burning a defender or two.

He’s played for the New Zealand U20s, Tasman at Bunnings NPC level, and made a promising start to his Super Rugby Pacific career.

No doubt there’s a number of guys with more experience in front of him, but Oudenryn’s future is clearly bright, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Benet Kumeroa – Chiefs/Prop

Like Lauaki, Kumeroa’s ability to pack down on both sides of the scrum is valuable for an eight-match tour. The 26-year-old has gone under the radar, likely due to him being behind George Dyer, Jarred Profit, and Ollie Norris in the Chiefs’ front row stocks.

The Maori All Black and All Black XV member is an experienced scrummager at Bunnings NPC level, a big body, and one who could gain important experience on a seven-week tour.

There won’t be space for both Kumeroa and Lauaki, so it could be a straight shootout, but neither is a bad option as the next generation of props will need to be nurtured.