All Blacks bring back four players for Boks Test at Ellis Park

New Zealand have brought four returning players into their line-up for Saturday’s first Test against South Africa in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park. Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie all come into the All Blacks side for the meeting with the Springboks.

Savea will captain New Zealand from the No 8 position after joining the tour late following a rest period. The match will be his first appearance on the trip and his 110th Test. Hooker Codie Taylor will also win his 110th cap.

Roigard starts at scrumhalf alongside Ruben Love, while Jordan and McKenzie return to the back three. Josh Moorby completes that unit and is set to face South Africa for the first time. Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie had each been carrying injury concerns before being selected.

Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea remain together in midfield. The pack features Ethan de Groot, Taylor and Tyrel Lomax in the front row, with Josh Lord and Fabian Holland at lock. Tupou Vaa’i and Luke Jacobson join Savea in the loose forwards.

New Zealand’s replacements include Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner and Peter Lakai among the forwards. Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown and Leroy Carter provide the backline cover. Segner and Lakai could make their first appearances against the Springboks if used.

Coach Dave Rennie has combined experienced players with younger members of the touring group. He said the three franchise matches played before the Test had helped the less experienced players adjust to South African teams and build combinations, but described the international series as a significant rise in difficulty. South Africa enter the contest as the world’s No 1 side and will play at home in Johannesburg, placing a major challenge before New Zealand in the opening Test.