All Blacks team to face Springboks: Rennie names his 23 for Ellis Park

The wait is finally over — the All Blacks team v Springboks for the first Test is confirmed. Dave Rennie has named his matchday 23 for Saturday’s opener at Ellis Park, with Ardie Savea returning to captain the side from number eight and Cam Roigard and Will Jordan set for their first appearances of the tour. It is the opening match of the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, New Zealand’s first full tour of South Africa since 1996.

New Zealand arrive unbeaten on tour, having won all three of their matches against South African franchise sides. Damian McKenzie also returns from injury to start at fullback, with Ruben Love handed the No. 10 jersey to combine with Roigard in the halves at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park.

The injuries that shaped the selection

Rennie went into the week with four fitness calls outstanding. Wing Will Jordan was managing a back complaint, scrum-half Cam Roigard a hamstring problem, fly-half Damian McKenzie an ankle injury and scrum-half Cortez Ratima a knee complaint. Rennie named McKenzie as the one he was least confident about.

The tour has already cost New Zealand several players outright. Prop Ollie Norris, centre Billy Proctor, wing Caleb Clarke and hooker George Bell have all been sent home. Former captain Scott Barrett remains unavailable after back surgery, and loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams is also out.

Three of those four calls went New Zealand’s way. Jordan’s back and Roigard’s hamstring have cleared in time for both to start, and McKenzie — the player Rennie was least confident about — is passed fit to wear No. 15. Cortez Ratima does not feature in the 23, with Kyle Preston named as the reserve halfback behind Roigard.

What changes from the last Ellis Park Test

The side that runs out on Saturday will look substantially different from the one that lost 31-27 at the same ground in 2024. At least seven of that starting XV are unavailable, and lock Tupou Vaa’i had been expected to switch to blindside flanker.

The clearest guide to Rennie’s first-choice side was the 23 that beat Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park in the Nations Championship, a combination that has not played together during the South African leg. Savea, Roigard and Jordan had not featured in any of the three tour matches before this week.

The pack has a familiar look. Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax pack down in the front row, Josh Lord and Fabian Holland lock the scrum, and Tupou Vaa’i does indeed shift to blindside flanker alongside Luke Jacobson and Savea. Rennie has gone with a 5-3 bench split, Anton Segner and Peter Lakai covering the loose forwards, while Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown and Leroy Carter provide the backline cover.

Milestones: Savea and Taylor reach 110 Tests

Savea and hooker Codie Taylor bring a wealth of experience to the contest, with both set to make their 110th Test appearances. Savea will play South Africa for the 18th time, while Taylor will face the Springboks for the 17th time.

At the other end of the scale, Moorby will make his first appearance against the Bokke, while Segner will have an opportunity off the bench.

What Dave Rennie said

“After all the build-up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first test underway.”

Dave Rennie, All Blacks head coach

“We have selected a balanced mix of big-match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first test,” Rennie said.

Rennie shared that the first three franchise games had given the newer players a valuable taste of South African rugby, but warned the Test series would bring a significant step up.

“We know the Test series will be a huge step up. They are number one in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday.”

Dave Rennie

All Blacks team v Springboks: the starting XV

The starting XV and replacements named by Rennie for the first Test at Ellis Park, as confirmed by New Zealand Rugby.

All Blacks tour form

New Zealand opened the tour with a 38-21 win over the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on 7 August, then put 54 unanswered points on the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on 11 August before beating the Vodacom Bulls 50-19 at Loftus Versfeld on 15 August. All three sides were without their Springboks contingent.

South Africa have not lost since New Zealand beat them in September last year, a run of 12 Tests. The most recent meeting between the sides ended in a 43-10 win for the Springboks in Wellington.

Springboks v All Blacks: match details

• Fixture: South Africa v New Zealand, first Test, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
• Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
• Date: Saturday 22 August 2026
• Kick-off: 5.10pm local (3.10am Sunday NZST)
• Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
• TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Rassie Erasmus named his Springboks side earlier on Thursday. See the full Springboks team to face the All Blacks.

FAQ

Who captains the All Blacks against South Africa?

Ardie Savea captains the All Blacks from number eight at Ellis Park, returning to the side after a managed break. It will be his 110th Test appearance and his 18th against South Africa.

When is the first All Blacks v Springboks Test?

Saturday 22 August 2026 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, kick-off 5.10pm local time, which is 3.10am on Sunday 23 August in New Zealand. It is the first of four Tests.

How many Tests are in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series?

Four. Ellis Park on 22 August, DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on 12 September. New Zealand also play the Lions at Ellis Park on 25 August.

Replacements