All Blacks team: Scott Robertson swings the axe with bold changes as Will Jordan shifts positions for second Springboks Test
Scott Robertson has named his All Blacks to tackle the Springboks in Cape Town. (photo James Foy/Speed Media)
Scott Robertson has named his All Blacks to tackle the Springboks in round four of the Rugby Championship.
Robertson has responded to the defeat to South Africa at Ellis Park by making four alternations to his starting XV and one on the bench with Wallace Sititi notably starting at blindside flanker and Will Jordan at fullback.
All Blacks team to face the Springboks
The All Blacks have also been dealt two heavy injury blows with standout stars in Johannesburg, Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke, both ruled through injury.
Will Jordan shifts from the wing to fullback as Beauden Barrett drops down onto the bench with two new wingers named in the starting XV. Sevu Reece returns on the right wing with Mark Tele’a starting on the left.
The midfield remains the same with Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane starting as the inside and outside centres, respectively.
Cortez Ratima earns just his second start in the black jersey as he trades places with TJ Perenara who moves onto the bench with Damian McKenzie retained as the starting number ten.
The only change to the starting forward pack sees Sititi earn his third Test cap, he replaces Blackadder whose tight hamstring saw him unavailable for selection. Sititi is joined in the back row by experienced All Blacks Sam Cane and Ardie Savea.
Scott Barrett captains the team in the same starting front five that features at Ellis Park with Tupou Vaa’i his locking partner as Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax make up the front row.
Robertson has retained a 5-3 split in favour of the forwards on the bench as Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Fletcher Newell are tasked with covering the front row. Sam Darry is the replacement lock while Luke Jacobson will cover the loose trio.
There is a vast amount of backline experience on the bench in Perenara, Beauden Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown.
“It’s been great to feel the support in Cape Town this week and we’re looking forward to playing in a city with a rich rugby history and deep support for the All Blacks,” All Blacks coach Robertson said.
“TJ and Beauden will add significant experience and leadership when they run out and the 23 selected will put in a performance our fans both here in Cape Town and at home in New Zealand will be proud of.”
All Blacks team v Springboks
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett
Date: Saturday, 7 September
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Local kick-off: 17:00
GMT kick-off: 15:00
NZL kick-off: 3:00 (Sunday, 8 September)
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 1:00 (Sunday, 8 September)
RSA kick-off: 17:00
ARG kick-off: 12:00
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
