Five All Blacks Dave Rennie should turn to for decisive Soweto Test

As the third Test between the All Blacks and the Springboks looms, the selection race heats up for Dave Rennie’s side after minimal changes were made between Ellis Park and Cape Town.

All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan hinted at changes for Soweto as the tour reaches its penultimate Test.

“We’ll have to look at minutes of some players who have played two 80s in a row,” Ryan told reporters on Sunday.

“That would be the first area you would look at. There could be an opportunity for change to get some fresh legs on. Luke Jacobson had a bit of flu [in Cape Town], and Peter Lakai came on and was exceptional. All those things add to how you can shift momentum and be fresh.”

“If there’s one thing this tour has brought, it’s competition.

“There’s genuine competition in this squad right across the park, and that’s the way you want it. There have been some good trainings which have had a bit of edge and competing aspects. The selectors have got a tough job this week.”

Changes won’t be forced, given Rennie’s side got through Test two unscathed, but the chance to bring in fresh bodies who have had over a week off could add considerable punch for the third Test.

The Springboks have largely picked the same squad that went to the well in Cape Town; the All Blacks must adjust and select accordingly.

A couple of fresh faces off the bench, and tweaks to the starting lineup will do Rennie’s side a world of good ahead of this weekend’s heavyweight clash.

Possible changes within the 23 haven’t been listed, including starting position switches like Asafo Aumua and Codie Taylor. Lakai could find himself thrust into a starting role if Jacobson hasn’t recovered from the flu.

Here are five players who didn’t feature in Cape Town, who could find themselves in the All Blacks 23 for Soweto.

Ethan de Groot

The Highlanders loosehead was under the weather at Ellis Park and picked up an early knee strain which hampered his first Test performance. It’s tough on George Bower, who had a stellar first Test off the bench before helping gain parity at scrum time in Cape Town, but De Groot is the leading No.1 in the country.

If fully fit after his concussion and his knee has recovered, shifting Bower to the bench for De Groot is a likely option for Rennie and the coaching staff. This likely leaves Xavier Numia out to dry, but his time will come.

Josh Lord

The big Chiefs lock didn’t get the chance to impose himself on the first Test, leaving the field during the first half after a clash of heads with De Groot. Lord’s lineout presence could have been missed in the second Test, and his return to the second row could accommodate Tupou Vaa’i’s shift to No.6, where he had more impact in his two Tests.

The coaching staff have put trust in Lord in 2026, opting to start him in the France Test at One New Zealand Stadium, against Ireland at Eden Park, and in the first Springboks Test at Ellis Park. That suggests that if Lord is fit, he’s likely to return to the selection frame, especially after last weekend’s lineout struggles.

Lord’s inclusion squeezes Patrick Tuipulotu out of the 23-man squad, after the Blues lock failed to provide sufficient impact in his short stint off the bench in Cape Town.

Ethan Blackadder

The bruising Crusaders loose-forward was brilliant in the All Blacks’ victory over the Lions at Ellis Park last Wednesday, adding two tries in his 80-minute shift. His constant work rate around the field makes him a like-for-like replacement for, or the closest thing to, Luke Jacobson.

All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan told reporters on Sunday that the Chiefs No.7 had been ill with the flu in Cape Town and that Jacobson has played the majority of openside flanker minutes across the tour.

Lakai looms as the probable starter to give Jacobson a spell, but Blackadder’s impact off the bench could be something the All Blacks look to use at FNB Stadium this weekend.

Rieko Ioane

Though his stock has clearly risen during the gruelling long tour of South Africa, Ioane is yet to feature for Rennie’s men in the Test series. Johannesburg, though, has his name written all over it. Both Leroy Carter and Will Jordan should deservedly keep their spots on either wing, but Ioane could feature off the bench.

The motivated and lean outside-back would offer the All Blacks a wide range of skills in Soweto. The All Blacks don’t need Anton Lienert-Brown to cover second-five with both Quinn Tupaea and Jordie Barrett on the field; they need difference makers. Ioane can cover multiple positions while providing pace and experience to a game which will come down to the final 20 minutes.

A Ioane cameo off the bench at the end of sweeping backline moves could offer game-breaking impact the All Blacks need.

Emoni Narawa

Including the Chiefs outside-back would be a double-switch in the All Blacks’ backline bench spots, but Narawa has more upside from the bench than Josh Moorby and/or Lienert-Brown. Although, through no fault of his own, Moorby is a stronger starter; plus, the Hurricanes winger didn’t feature against the Boks in Cape Town.

Narawa’s versatility, being able to cover either wing, fullback, or centre, could earn him a place alongside Ioane, adding impact to the All Blacks’ bench. We saw what Narawa could do against tiring bodies in the Lions contest.

These two backline bench changes aren’t due to the performances of either player they could replace, but if the All Blacks are to take a 2-1 series lead in Soweto, more power and punch off the bench will be the difference.

Possible All Blacks 23

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Fabian Holland
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Simon Parker
7. Peter Lakai
8. Ardie Savea
9. Cameron Roigard
10. Ruben Love
11. Leroy Carter
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Quinn Tupaea
14. Will Jordan
15. Damian McKenzie

Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua
17. George Bower
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Josh Lord
20. Ethan Blackadder
21. Kyle Preston
22. Rieko Ioane
23. Emoni Narawa