All Blacks team v Springboks: Captain Scott Barrett returns as former skipper gets shot at Rugby World Cup revenge
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett alongside former skipper Sam Cane.
Scott Robertson has added some much-needed leadership to the All Blacks starting line-up as they prepare for the daunting clash against the Springboks.
Crucially for the head coach, captain Scott Barrett is available and takes his place in the second-row alongside Tupou Vaa’i.
Barrett took over the leadership role from Sam Cane and, coincidently, the former skipper has also been selected in the XV to make his first start since the Rugby World Cup final.
Cane was red-carded in the opening period of the showpiece event but he gets his chance at redemption following an injury to Dalton Papali’i as he joins Ardie Savea and Ethan Blackadder in the loose trio.
Close to big milestone
The 32-year-old will earn his 97th cap for New Zealand, edging one step closer to the century mark having already announced that the 2024 season will be his last in Test rugby.
No doubt that experience is vital for the tourists, who will face a hostile atmosphere at Ellis Park.
Tamaiti Williams is one of those who has never experienced playing professional rugby in South Africa, so having the older players in situ will be key for the youngsters.
Loosehead Williams will also get help from hooker Codie Taylor and tighthead Tyrel Lomax, who join him in the front-row.
Behind the scrum it is unchanged, with TJ Perenara continuing at scrum-half alongside Damian McKenzie in the decision-making positions.
Perenara, like Cane, will finish his international career this year, but the half-back gets one last chance to play in South Africa.
They will look to provide quick ball to the midfield duo of Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane, while Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett are the back three.
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Robertson has once again opted against playing Jordan at full-back due to the form of Barrett and the Crusaders star’s two-try showing versus Argentina.
Meanwhile, on the bench, there is just one alteration with back-rower Samipeni Finau featuring in a 23 for the first time since the England series.
Finau is joined by Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown and Mark Tele’a among the replacements.
“To play South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for; we will embrace the occasion,” the head coach said.
“We have a lot of respect for the Springboks and we are looking forward to what will be an electric atmosphere at an iconic venue.”
All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 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 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a
Date: Saturday, August 31
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17:00 local (16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT, 03:00 NZST)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
