Duo TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett will add some much-needed experience to the bench as the All Blacks named their team to face the Springboks in a Rugby Championship Test in Cape Town.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson and his co-selectors, Assistant Coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison have named their All Blacks team to play the Springboks in the fourth round of the 2024 Castle Lager Rugby Championship at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Unavailable due to injury are Ethan Blackadder (hamstring) and Caleb Clarke (back), while there are four changes to the All Blacks starting team named to play South Africa in Cape Town and one in the reserves.
In the backs, Cortez Ratima gains his second Test start at halfback, with wings Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece forming a new look back three with fullback Will Jordan. Clarke was unavailable due to a back injury sustained during last weekend’s Test at Emirates Airline Park, while Jordan shifts from the right wing to fullback for the first time in 2024.
There is one change to the starting forward pack with Wallace Sititi set to play his second Test at blindside flanker in place of Ethan Blackadder, whose tight hamstring saw him unavailable for selection. Luke Jacobson takes his place on a reserves bench bolstered by the vast experience of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett.
“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,” said Robertson.
“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 (Test caps in brackets):
1. Tamaiti Williams (10)
2. Codie Taylor (90)
3. Tyrel Lomax (37)
4. Scott Barrett (captain, 73)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (31)
6. Wallace Sititi (2)
7. Sam Cane (97)
8. Ardie Savea (87, vice-captain)
9. Cortez Ratima (5)
10. Damian McKenzie (53)
11. Mark Tele’a (14)
12. Jordie Barrett (63, vice-captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (74)
14. Sevu Reece (27)
15. Will Jordan (34)
Replacements:
16. Asafo Aumua (12)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (62)
18. Fletcher Newell (19)
19. Sam Darry (4)
20. Luke Jacobson (21)
21. TJ Perenara (85)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (76)
23. Beauden Barrett (129)
Team for game two 🫡
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 5, 2024
Saturday 5pm SAST
Sunday 3am NZT
*Ethan Blackadder & Caleb Clarke are unavailable due to injury.#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/2vlyF7MMgC
