All Blacks name 44-man squad for South Africa tour, three debutants included
All Blacks squad for South Africa tour announced
The All Blacks have announced a 44-man squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa, which includes three uncapped players. Head Coach Dave Rennie, along with selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes, have retained all 34 players from the initial Nations Championship Southern Series squad and added ten more to the touring group. The squad comprises 25 forwards and 19 backs.
The three uncapped players joining the squad are Hurricanes prop Siale Lauaki, Moana Pasifika loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, and Chiefs first five-eighth Josh Jacomb. Rennie extended his congratulations to the selected players, noting that all 44 members would be essential during the tour.
Seven returning All Blacks have also been named in the squad. These include prop Ollie Norris, hooker George Bell, lock Fabian Holland, flanker Ethan Blackadder, midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, and outside backs Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa.
Captain Savea to miss early matches
Captain Ardie Savea will not join the team at the start of the tour, having been granted an extended break following the July series. He is expected to link up with the squad before the first Test match, meaning he will miss the three non-Test games against the Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls.
Rennie explained that Savea has had a significant workload over the past two years, and the break is intended to ensure he is ready to lead the team into the Test series. He also stated that the non-Test matches would provide an opportunity for other leaders within the squad to step into the captaincy role.
The coach emphasised the demanding nature of the tour, which includes eight matches over six weeks, with a four-Test series against the Springboks. Rennie believes this tour will be crucial for the All Blacks‘ preparations for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Tour schedule and key fixtures
The tour will commence in Cape Town on 8 August (NZT) against the Stormers. Following this, the All Blacks will face the Sharks in Durban four days later, and then the Bulls in Pretoria on 15 August.
The first Test against the Springboks is scheduled for 22 August at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. A final franchise game against the Lions will also be played at the same venue on 25 August. The second and third Tests will take place at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, respectively.
The tour will conclude with the fourth and final Test against the Springboks in Baltimore, Maryland, marking the first time these rivals have played each other on US soil. This historic tour is described by New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster as a landmark event for both rugby nations and fans.
The full squad for the tour includes:
- Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell
- Props: Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki*
- Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland
- Loose Forwards: Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (Captain), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa*
- Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston
- First Five-Eighths: Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb*
- Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai
- Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa
Players unavailable due to injury include Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, and Leicester Fainga’anuku. The tour is set to begin on 8 August.
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Source: allblacks.com
