All Blacks lose Ollie Norris as injury list grows before Springboks Test

New Zealand loosehead prop Ollie Norris has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee cartilage injury, adding to the All Blacks’ growing list of casualties before Saturday’s Test against South Africa. Norris will return home from the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.

His departure makes him the fourth New Zealand player to leave the tour because of injury. George Bell, Billy Proctor and Caleb Clarke had already returned home, leaving head coach Dave Rennie to make another change to his squad.

Crusaders scrumhalf Noah Hotham has been brought in as cover in the backline. His arrival comes as Cortez Ratima continues to be assessed after suffering a knee injury during New Zealand’s match against the Vodacom Bulls last week.

Ratima is not the only player whose availability is uncertain. Utility back Damian McKenzie remains a concern, while winger Will Jordan and scrumhalf Cam Roigard are also managing injury issues. Neither Jordan nor Roigard has played during the tour.

Rennie expects Jordan and Roigard to be available for the opening match of the four-Test series against the Springboks. McKenzie’s position is less clear, leaving New Zealand with several selection decisions to settle before the weekend.

Norris’ absence also reduces the options in the front row, while Hotham provides additional cover at scrumhalf as the All Blacks prepare for the first Test. The injuries have forced changes before the series has begun, with the squad now balancing replacements and fitness checks across the backline.