Scott Barrett of New Zealand is tackled by Pieter-Steph du Toit and Faf de Klerk of South Africa. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
- Scott Barrett is fit again and will captain the All Blacks against the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
- Barrett missed New Zealand’s two Tests against Argentina due to a broken finger.
- Flanker Sam Cane is also back for his first start since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
- For more rugby news, visit our dedicated section.
Lock Scott Barrett returns to captain the All Blacks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Barrett, who missed New Zealand’s last two Rugby Championship Tests due to a broken finger, is one of three changes to the match-day 23 that beat Argentina 42-10 at Eden Park. No 8 Ardie Savea had captained the All Blacks in Barrett’s absence.
Sam Cane is named at No 7 flank in what will be his 97th Test – and first start since the Rugby World Cup final last year when he received a red card. The former New Zealand captain starts in place of Dalton Papali’i, who has not been considered because of a thumb injury.
“Sam has been incredible off the field for us. It’s an opportunity for him to be that Test veteran we need with that experience and calmness,” New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson told reporters.
READ | Boks not losing much in starting line-up or Bomb Squad, despite lock disruptions – Hlungwani
Elsewhere, blindside flanker Samipeni Finau comes in on the bench. Finau’s last Test came during the All Blacks’ 24-17 win over England at Eden Park in July.
“To play South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for; we will embrace the occasion. We have a lot of respect for the Springboks and we are looking forward to what will be an electric atmosphere at an iconic venue,” Robertson added.
Kick-off is at 17:00 on Saturday.
Teams:
South Africa
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard
New Zealand
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan,13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Substitutes: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a