All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named a 44-man touring squad for next month’s fixtures in South Africa. Captain Ardie Savea will miss the opening two matches to rest after a long playing period. Three uncapped players have been included in the group.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie recalled veteran flank Ethan Blackadder and named three uncapped players in the squad for the eight-match tour. The tour includes four provincial matches against South African franchise teams and four Tests against the Springboks.
Captain Ardie Savea will join the tour later for recuperation after playing continuously since January 2025. He will miss matches against the Stormers and Sharks and is unlikely to play against the Bulls on 15 August.
Rennie said the decision allows Savea to freshen up before the Tests. He added that hooker Codie Taylor will lead the squad on tour despite an injury that will also keep him out of the first two matches.
The fixtures begin on 7 August with the Stormers match in Cape Town and end with the fourth Test in Baltimore on 12 September. The squad includes players such as Beauden Barrett, who will start against the Stormers, and new caps Siale Lauaki, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and Josh Jacomb.
