How the All Blacks selectors could shape their 44-man squad for South Africa

Sunday, 26 July 2026

Rieko Ioane was summoned to the All Blacks squad as injury cover and looks a safe bet to be on the plane to South Africa.

ANALYSIS: The All Blacks will unveil their squad for the South Africa tour at noon on Monday, with at least 10 names to be added to the 34-man squad named for the Nations Championship tests in July.

There could be a surprise in store. As The Post revealed on Friday, Southland powerhouse Semisi Tupou Taeiloa is firmly in contention for a place in the squad.

Although Tupou Taeiloa has not yet signed for a Super Rugby team, he has been contracted by New Zealand Rugby until 2028.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie revealed last week that he has already picked the matchday squads for the first four games in South Africa - the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and first test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 23.

That level of detail shows how much planning has gone into the tour and makes it likely that Rennie will retain all 34 players who were part of the July series, including the unused Beauden Barrett, Kyle Preston and Simon Parker.

Scott Barrett and Tamaiti Williams have already been ruled out of the tour, and Leicester Fainga’anuku seems unlikely as he was ruled out for 10-12 weeks after sustaining a fibula fracture and high ankle sprain in the Crusaders’ semi-final loss to the Chiefs on June 12.

No 10 Richie Mo’unga is ineligible, for the time being, as he looks to get some game time with Canterbury in the NPC.

But the competition for a seat on the plane remains hot and the last places might come down to whether Rennie wants a 7-3 forwards/backs split or 6-4.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa on the charge for Southland against Tasman.

If it’s the former, Du’Plessis Kirifi could headline a forwards group that also includes George Bell or Jack Taylor, Ollie Norris, Siale Lauaki, Fabian Holland, Jamie Hannah and Tupou Taeiloa.

Kirifi was unlucky not to make the original squad but he fits the profile of the tough No 7 that Rennie is looking for. Luke Jacobson filled that role during the July tests.

Noah Hotham and Rieko Ioane could slot in as extra backs, but the main decision appears to be whether to take an extra No 10.

If the All Blacks stick with Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, their workload will be high as McKenzie is now the preferred fullback and Barrett can also play in the position.

Rennie’s use of Will Jordan and Josh Moorby as wingers during July shows he prefers a second playmaker on the field.

Josh Jacomb, Taha Kemara and Rivez Reihana are all options, but Taranaki playmaker Jacomb is well known to All Blacks senior assistant coach Neil Barnes and already has an established combination with McKenzie and halfback Cortez Ratima after spending the past three seasons at the Chiefs.

Ioane should come straight back into the expanded squad.

Although he remains the preferred punching bag for sections of the New Zealand rugby public, his experience and versatility are big drawcards.

He has also spent the past season at Leinster opposing South African players in the United Rugby Championship, and played a strong game in the final as the Irish province beat the Bulls convincingly.

The tour opener is against the Stormers on August 8.

Possible All Blacks squad

Forwards (26): Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland, Jamie Hannah, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea (capt), Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Semisi Tupou Taeiloa.

Backs (18): Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham, Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane.