Savea, Roigard and Jordan return for opening Greatest Rivalry Test

New Zealand have named Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard and Will Jordan to make their first appearances of the tour against South Africa in Saturday’s opening Greatest Rivalry Test. Damian McKenzie also returns from injury at fullback as the All Blacks begin the series against the world’s number-one team.

Savea will captain the side from No. 8, with McKenzie at 15, Jordan on the right wing and Roigard at scrumhalf. Ruben Love starts at flyhalf, while Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea form the midfield pairing. Josh Moorby completes the back three on the left wing.

The match will be Savea’s 110th Test and his 18th against South Africa. Hooker Codie Taylor will also reach 110 caps, including his 17th Test against the Springboks. Anton Segner and Moorby are in line to face South Africa for the first time.

New Zealand’s pack includes Luke Jacobson at openside flanker, Tupou Vaa’i at blindside, Fabian Holland and Josh Lord in the second row, and a front three of Tyrel Lomax, Taylor and Ethan de Groot. Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown and Leroy Carter make up the replacements.

Rennie said the squad was ready to begin the Test after the anticipation surrounding the tour. He described the selection as a blend of experienced players with major-match experience and younger members who had earned their opportunity.

The All Blacks used their first three franchise matches to expose less experienced players to the style of South African teams and to build combinations. Rennie acknowledged that the Test would bring a greater challenge, with South Africa playing at home and expected to apply significant pressure. New Zealand will therefore open the rivalry with three key returnees, a fit-again fullback and two milestones in the starting XV.