All Blacks name 44-man squad for South Africa tour, three uncapped players included
Squad selection and new additions
The All Blacks have announced a 44-man squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa. 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. An additional ten players have been named to strengthen the team for the seven-week tour.
Three uncapped players are part of the touring group: Hurricanes prop Siale Lauaki, Moana Pasifika loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, and Chiefs first five-eighth Josh Jacomb. These new caps are joined by returning All Blacks including prop Ollie Norris, hooker George Bell, lock Fabian Holland, flanker Ethan Blackadder, midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, and outside backs Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa.
Rennie congratulated the selected players, noting that all 44 would be needed during the tour. He described the squad as a balanced mix of experienced Test players and younger talent ready to showcase their skills. The coach also stated that the tour, featuring eight matches in six weeks, including a four-Test series against the Springboks, would be demanding.
Captaincy and tour schedule
Captain Ardie Savea will miss the initial three non-Test matches of the tour. He is scheduled to join the team in South Africa before the first Test. Rennie explained that Savea has had a significant workload recently, and an extended break is intended to ensure he is prepared to lead the team into the Test series. Other leaders within the squad will have the opportunity to captain the side during Savea’s absence.
The tour will commence in Cape Town on 8 August (NZT) against the Stormers, a team that performed well in the United Rugby Championship (URC) regular season. Four days later, the All Blacks will face the Sharks in Durban, followed by a match against URC grand finalists, 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 take place at the same venue on 25 August. The second and third Tests will be held at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, respectively. The fourth and final Test will see both teams travel to Baltimore, Maryland, marking the first time these rivals have played each other on US soil.
Significance of the tour
New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster highlighted the tour’s historical significance, calling it the next chapter in a defining rivalry. He noted that it is the first full-scale, old-style tour in 30 years, reminiscent of the 1996 tour when the All Blacks secured their first series win in South Africa. Lancaster also mentioned that approximately 3,000 fans are expected to travel for the tour, with the majority coming from New Zealand.
Rennie believes the tour will be crucial for the All Blacks’ preparations for the Rugby World Cup in 2027. He stated that the intense seven weeks of touring will provide an excellent opportunity to compete against a top-tier team in world rugby and build connections within the squad.
The squad includes players such as Codie Taylor with 109 Test caps, and Beauden Barrett with 144 Test caps. Players unavailable due to injury include Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, and Leicester Fainga’anuku.
The tour’s final match, the fourth Test against the Springboks, is set for 13 September at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
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Source: allblacks.com
