Dave Rennie makes big selection calls, Springboks skipper out

Springboks v All Blacks, 3am Sunday 

Liam Napier in Johannesburg 

Damian McKenzie has recovered from injury to take his place in the backfield, and Fabian Holland has forced his way into the starting All Blacks team for the opening test in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks at Ellis Park this weekend. 

The All Blacks were sweating on McKenzie’s availability after he rolled his ankle in the second tour win against the Sharks in Durban. He hasn’t been sighted since but has convinced the selectors in training this week that he has sufficiently recovered and is good to go to face the Boks. 

McKenzie’s ankle will be tested with the Boks set to unleash a high-ball assault on the All Blacks on Sunday morning (NZT), but his recovery allows Dave Rennie to select his preferred backfield combination that brings together three fullbacks, with Will Jordan and Josh Moorby lining up on the edges. 

Jordan, captain Ardie Savea and Cam Roigard will make their first appearances of the South African tour. 

Roigard (calf) and Jordan (back) didn’t feature in the three previous tour matches because of injury, while Savea savoured a two-week rest in New Zealand before rejoining the team. 

The other notable talking point is Holland partnering Josh Lord in the second row. 

Holland missed the entire Super Rugby season and the All Blacks’ three Nations Championship victories in July while recovering from shoulder surgery. 

In his return in South Africa, the Dutch-born lock impressed with multiple lineout steals and his insatiable work-rate against the Stormers and Bulls. 

Damian McKenzie has recovered from injury to start at fullback for the All Blacks against the Springboks at Ellis Park. Photo / Photosport 

Holland’s presence points to the All Blacks attempting to pressure the South African lineout and challenge the Boks halfbacks by attempting charge downs while they repeatedly kick from the base. 

Patrick Tuipulotu and Lord were favoured to maintain their starting locking combination after a dominant performance in the All Blacks’ last test win against Ireland at Eden Park. 

Holland’s return has altered those plans, though, as the Dutchman forced his way past Blues captain Tuipulotu for the first test. 

After selecting their first-choice front row, the All Blacks will be confident of matching the Boks’ vaunted set piece strengths – but if there’s a concern, it could be the potential lack of big, powerful ball carriers in their forward pack. 

The remainder of the starting team mirrors the one that humbled Ireland in mid-July. 

Starting halves pairing Roigard and Ruben Love will confront the Boks in South Africa for the first time. 

Tupou Vaa’i continues his switch from lock to blindside flanker alongside Luke Jacobson and Savea in the loose forward trio. 

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie (centre) has put faith in Josh Moorby (from left), Ardie Savea, Josh Lord and Anton Segner. Photos / Photosport 

Starting Vaa’i, Holland and Lord allows the All Blacks to include two loose forwards, Peter Lakai and Anton Segner, on the bench. 

Back up halfback Kyle Preston and loosehead prop George Bower are included in the reserves after injuries to Cortez Ratima and Xavier Numia. Leroy Carter also edges out Fehi Fineanganofo as outside back cover. 

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

“The first three franchise games have exposed our newer players to the way South African teams play and have been fantastic in helping us build combinations and develop the game we want to play. 

“We know the test series will be a huge step up. We’re well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear. They are No 1 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.” 

Meanwhile, Rassie Erasmus has named an experienced lineup though captain Siya Kolisi will miss the opening test after a hamstring injury against Argentina two weeks ago. Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the side. 

Centre Damian de Allende will become the 10th Springbok to bring up 100 test caps. The only two starting players who retain their places from the 17-10 win over Argentina are lock Eben Etzebeth and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at No 10. 

“The All Blacks are a quality team, and we selected combinations we think would be best suited for the challenge this weekend,” said Erasmus. 

All Blacks team

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

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

Springboks team 

1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese, 9 Grant Williams, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 15 Damian Willemse. 

Reserves: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok. 

Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast. 

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