All Blacks v South Africa: Scott Robertson names Wallace Sititi to start in second test in Cape Town
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side for the second test against the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium.
Follow all the action on the Herald’s live blog below with all the talking points following the announcement.
READ MORE: Sititi starts, Barrett to bench as Scott Robertson makes four changes for second test - Erasmus names strong Springboks squad
That'll do us
Cameron McMillan
Ngā mihi nui, thank you very much for joining us for our live coverage of the All Blacks team naming for the second test against the Springboks in Cape Town.
We'll have Scott Robertson's comments shortly following the press conference.
See you soon! Mā te wā!
Powerful back three
Cameron McMillan
That back three is packed with pace. Jordan, Reece and Tele'a all have that game-breaking ability to make a highlight reel play.
Having Beauden Barrett on the bench is a luxury more than a few nations would envy.
All Blacks to hold press conference
Cameron McMillan
We'll have All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's comments following the team naming for you where he will hopefully shed some more light on those injuries to Clarke and Blackadder.
Perhaps also the rationale behind the Sititi start over Finau.
Injury updates
Cameron McMillan
The All Blacks have confirmed that Ethan Blackadder (hamstring), Caleb Clarke (back) are in fact injured.
Clarke suffered his injury in the Ellis Park test but looks like Blackadder's hamstring may have been sustained at training.
No room for Finau
Cameron McMillan
After coming on in the second half at Ellis Park, Samipeni Finau is not named in the squad for Cape Town.
Luke Jacobson will provide the loose forward cover on the bench.
Front row unchaned
Cameron McMillan
The three front rowers of Williams, Taylor and Lomax all retain their starting spots.
Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Fletcher Newell will come on from the bench.
Jordan to fullback
Cameron McMillan
Will Jordan will take the 15 jersey, Beauden Barrett moves to the impact bench.
It will be just the second time Jordan has started at fullback for the All Blacks.
Clarke out - Tele'a in
Cameron McMillan
Caleb Clarke has also not been named, it's unclear at this stage as to why but it's likely an injury-related move.
Mark Tele'a will start on one wing with Sevu Reece on the other.
Ratima, Sititi start
Cameron McMillan
A fair bit to unpack here, but the big news is that the rumours are correct and Ethan Blackadder has not been named - the youngest player in the All Blacks 2024 squad will start against the Springboks in Wallace Sititi.
Cortez Ratima has secured the halfback jersey, with TJ Perenara moving to the bench.
All Blacks name team
Cameron McMillan
Squad to be named at 5pm
Cameron McMillan
We will find out how true these rumours are very shortly.
If Blackadder is in fact out, there could be a chance for Wallace Sititi to get his first test start.
Time for a switch up?
Cameron McMillan
'There’s an old saying which goes something like: Only he who risks going too far can discover how far he can go,' writes Paul Lewis.
Rumours continue to swirl
Cameron McMillan
The murmurs out of South Africa are getting stronger.
We're hearing that there will be changes for the All Blacks in the forward pack and in the back three, forced by injury - just how true that turns out to be we shall see at 5pm.
Odds favour 'Boks
Cameron McMillan
The TAB have the Springboks at $1.55 to win in Cape Town. The All Blacks are priced at $2.35 to even the series.
With how the first test played out, the All Blacks losing from a winning position, punters may have expected the odds to be a little more even that that.
Alternatively, the Wallabies are underdogs with the bookies against Los Pumas after winning the opening test of that series...
Gamble responsibly, chances are you'll lose.
End of the Rugby Championship?
Cameron McMillan
News this week that NZR and South African rugby officials have agreed on tours to each country - what does this mean for the Wallabies and Los Pumas?
Cameron McMillan
Records are made to be broken... however you'd wager the All Blacks would be quite happy for this one to remain as it is.
Injury forcing changes?
Cameron McMillan
This came from the Herald's Liam Napier on Wednesday - but there are rumours out of the Republic that Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke are set to miss the second test with injury...
Welcome
Cameron McMillan
Kia ora koutou and welcome to the Herald's live coverage of the All Blacks squad naming ahead of the second test against the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium.
The team will be named at 5pm and we'll have everything you need before, during and after the squad is announced.
All Blacks v Springboks, Rugby Championship test, 3am, Sunday, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
All you need to know as Scott Robertson’s side look to bounce back against the Boks.
All Blacks v South Africa history
Played 107
All Blacks won 62
South Africa won 41
Draws 4
The All Blacks side will play at Cape Town Stadium for the first time, a venue that was used for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. In their 11 previous visits to Cape Town, dating back to the 1928 tour, they have played at Newlands Stadium where New Zealand have an impressive 7-3 record against South Africa. They also thrashed England in the 1995 World Cup semifinal at Newlands.
Their previous visit to Cape Town was in 2017, a 25-24 victory in which Damian McKenzie had a standout performance.
Sunday’s 27-31 defeat at Ellis Park was the All Blacks’ third in 12 months against South Africa, including the warm-up test thrashing at Twickenham and the Rugby World Cup final.
The last time New Zealand lost three straight to the Springboks was in 2009, after Tri Nations defeats in Bloemfontein and Durban were followed by a 32-29 loss in Hamilton.
The All Blacks haven’t lost four in a row to their great rivals since 1949, when the Springboks won the test series 4-0. That was part of a six-test losing streak after the Boks won the last two matches of the 1937 series.
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