All Blacks Squad Named For South Africa Tour

The All Blacks have named a 44-man squad for the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour, which will take them to South Africa and the United States over the next seven weeks.

Head coach Dave Rennie and fellow selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes have retained all 34 players from their Nations Championship squad while adding 10 more to strengthen the touring party.

Prop Siale Lauaki, loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and utility back Josh Jacomb are the three uncapped players included in the squad. They are joined by returning All Blacks Ollie Norris, George Bell, Fabian Holland, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa.

Rennie congratulated the selected players, stressing that every member of the 44-man squad would have an important role to play throughout the tour.

“This tour will challenge us and demand the very best from us,” said Rennie.

“We have selected a squad that we know is up to the challenge. It’s a balanced blend of experienced Test players and a group of younger players who will be eager to work hard and showcase their skills on tour.

“We are thrilled for those players who will have the opportunity to pull on the All Blacks jersey for the first time, and we welcome back those who are returning to the group.

“With eight matches in six weeks, including a four-Test series against the Springboks, this has to be one of the toughest tours in rugby. Every player will have an important part to play, whether that’s preparing to take the field or helping their teammates get ready.

“It will be an intense seven weeks, but also an excellent opportunity for us to test ourselves against the current benchmark team in world rugby and build connections that only a tour of this scale can create. What we learn about ourselves, both on and off the field, will put us in a strong position heading towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

“The franchise matches will also provide an opportunity for other leaders in the group to captain the side before Ardie Savea joins us in South Africa ahead of the first Test. Ardie has carried a massive workload over the past couple of years, and we believe an extended break is the best option so he can return refreshed and ready to lead us into the Test series. We have several outstanding leaders in this squad who will embrace the opportunity to captain the team.”

The All Blacks will begin the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on 7 August before travelling to Durban to face the Hollywoodbets Sharks four days later. They will then head to Pretoria to take on the Vodacom Bulls on 15 August.

The first Test against the Springboks will be played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 22 August, followed by a final franchise fixture against the Lions 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 before both teams travel to the United States for the fourth and final Test in Baltimore, Maryland. It will be the first time the Springboks and All Blacks have met on American soil.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster believes the tour marks a historic moment for one of rugby’s greatest rivalries.

“This is the next chapter in one of our sport’s defining rivalries. It is our first full-scale, old-style tour in 30 years, since ‘The Incomparables’, led by Sean Fitzpatrick, secured the All Blacks’ first series victory in South Africa in 1996.

“Fans from both nations and around the world have embraced the concept, with around 3,000 supporters expected to travel on the tour, the majority from New Zealand. We are already looking forward to hosting the next edition in 2030, when South Africa embarks on its first professional-era tour of New Zealand.”

All Blacks squad for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour

Forwards (25)

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*

Backs (19)

Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston

Fly-halves: 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

*Uncapped players

Unavailable through injury: Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett and Leicester Fainga’anuku.