The New Zealand team has been named to take on South Africa in Cape Town this Saturday, with the five All Blacks who arrived early all having been named in the matchday 23. The visitors will be looking to maintain the same kind of form that saw them win 57-0 in Albany.
Samuel Whitelock returns to the second row alongside Scott Barrett, Liam Squire is at blindside flanker and Sam Cane is at openside, with Matt Todd moving to the bench.
In the backs, Ryan Crotty has been named at centre, while Nehe Milner-Skudder is on the right wing. Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been named at reserve halfback while Lima Sopoaga provides additional back cover alongside David Havili.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “We’ve settled in well in Cape Town this week. However, our preparation has been different because of the need to recover well from all the travel.
“This has meant that there’s been less time on the park and an even greater emphasis than normal on the mental side of our preparation. As always, getting real clarity of our roles and how we want to play has been key.”
NEW ZEALAND:
1. Kane Hames, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Samuel Whitelock, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Liam Squire, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read – Captain, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Ryan Crotty, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 15. Damian McKenzie
Replacements: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Matt Todd, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Lima Sopoaga, 23. David Havili
KEY NOTES:
- The All Blacks and South Africa have played each other 94 times, with 56 wins to the All Blacks, 35 to South Africa and three draws.
- This will be the tenth time the All Blacks have played South Africa at Newlands. The last match there was in 2008, which the All Blacks won 19-0. South Africa have won eight of their last 10 Tests there.
- The All Blacks have scored 49 tries this year, so the next one makes 50 – and that will be the 13th time this century. It is ten years since any other team has reached 50 tries.
- The All Blacks won The Rugby Championship in 2012 – 2014 and again in 2016 and 2017, have held the Freedom Cup (played between New Zealand and South Africa) since 2010 and the Bledisloe Cup (played between New Zealand and Australia) since 2003.
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