All Blacks make late change for Springboks Test

by Frank Nickson Saturday 22 August 2026

Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks in the opening Test against the Springboks

©PA

The All Blacks have made a late change to their matchday squad for Saturday’s Greatest Rivalry clash against the Springboks at Ellis Park, with Anton Segner ruled out.

Anton Segner ruled out

Segner has been withdrawn from the bench after developing a swollen ankle. The condition has been assessed as acute inflammatory arthritis.

There is currently no confirmed timeframe for his return to play.

Simon Parker replaces Segner

Simon Parker has been added to the matchday squad and will take Segner’s place among the replacements.

The remainder of Dave Rennie’s squad remains unchanged ahead of the Johannesburg Test.

New Zealand XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Simon Parker, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.