Wallace Sititi starts for the All Blacks against the Springboks

All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson and his co-selectors, Assistant Coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison have named their All Blacks team to play South Africa in the fourth round of the 2024 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.  
 
LIVE on Sky Sport: Sunday 8 September:  All Blacks vs South Africa, 3.00AM (NZST). 
 
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets) 
  
1.    Tamaiti Williams (10) 
2.    Codie Taylor (90)  
3.    Tyrel Lomax (37)  
4.    Scott Barrett (73) (Captain) 
5.    Tupou Vaa’i (31)  
6.    Wallace Sititi (2)  
7.    Sam Cane (97)  
8.    Ardie Savea (87) (Vice Captain) 
9.    Cortez Ratima (5)  
10.  Damian McKenzie (53) 
11.  Mark Tele’a (14) 
12.  Jordie Barrett (63) (Vice Captain) 
13.  Rieko Ioane (74) 
14.  Sevu Reece (27) 
15.  Will Jordan (34)  
 
16. Asafo Aumua (12) 
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (62) 
18. Fletcher Newell (19) 
19. Sam Darry (4)  
20. Luke Jacobson (21)  
21. TJ Perenara (85)  
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (76) 
23. Beauden Barrett (129)  
 

Unavailable due to injury: Ethan Blackadder (hamstring), Caleb Clarke (back). 
 
There are four changes to the All Blacks starting team named to play South Africa in Cape Town and one in the reserves.  

In the backs, Cortez Ratima gains his second Test start at halfback, with wings Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece forming a new look back three with fullback Will Jordan. Caleb Clarke was unavailable due to a back injury sustained during last weekend’s Test at Ellis Park, while Jordan shifts from the right wing to fullback for the first time in 2024. 

There is one change to the starting forward pack with Wallace Sititi set to play his second Test at blindside flanker in place of Ethan Blackadder, whose tight hamstring saw him unavailable for selection. Luke Jacobson takes his place on a reserves bench bolstered by the vast experience of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett. 

“It’s been great to feel the support in Cape Town this week and we’re looking forward to playing in a city with a rich rugby history and deep support for the All Blacks. 

“TJ and Beauden will add significant experience and leadership when they run out and the 23 selected will put in a performance our fans both here in Cape Town and at home in New Zealand will be proud of.” 

MATCH FACTS 

• This will be the first time the All Blacks and Springboks have met at DHL Stadium and the tenth time the teams have played in Cape Town. 

• Of the ten Tests in Cape Town the All Blacks have won 7 and the Springboks 3. 

• The first game between the teams in Cape Town was in 1928, with the All Blacks winning 13-5 in front of 23,000 fans. 

• The last match between the teams in Cape Town was in 2017, won 25-24 by the All Blacks in front of 52,000 fans at Newlands. 

• The All Blacks have played the Springboks in 107 Tests since 1921 for 62 wins, 41 losses and 4 draws. 

• The winner of the Test this week will also win the Freedom Cup, which has been contested since it was introduced in 2004. 

• The All Blacks have held the Freedom Cup since 2010.