All Blacks change up for Cape Town return against Boks

Will Jordan has been shifted from wing to fullback in place of Beauden Barrett in the most significant of the five changes, if you include a positional switch, that New Zealand have made for Saturday’s return Castle Lager Rugby Championship test against the Springboks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

With Caleb Clarke unavailable after sustaining a back injury in last weekend’s 31-27 defeat in Johannesburg, in which he scored two tries, there is a whole new back three for the All Blacks. It was an area that attracted scrutiny after the Emirates Airlines Park game, and it is not that surprising that Barrett has been shifted to the replacements bench after making some glaring errors in the face of the Bok kicking game.

Team for game two 🫡

Saturday 5pm SAST
Sunday 3am NZT

*Ethan Blackadder & Caleb Clarke are unavailable due to injury.#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/2vlyF7MMgC

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 5, 2024

Will Jordan has been moved from wing to fullback in Barrett’s case, the first time he will play in his preferred position in 2024, while Sevu Reece comes in on the right wing. Mark Tele’a is promoted from the bench to wear the No 11 jersey.

In another change at the back, Cortez Ratima comes in at scrumhalf for TJ Perenara, who moves to the bench. There is one change to the forward pack that played last week, with Ethan Blackadder ruled out with a tight hamstring. He has been replaced by the bulky Chiefs looseforward Wallace Sititi.

The All Black bench does appear to boast more experience than the Kiwi impact squad did last week, with Luke Jacobson coming in as the looseforward backup ahead of a fit again Dalton Papali’i.

In naming his team, All Black coach Scott Robertson said his team appreciated the support of Cape Town locals as his men build up to what is an all or nothing game for them if they want to retain their hold on the Championship trophy.

“It has 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,” said Robertson.

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

This will be the first time the All Blacks play at the DHL Stadium, which was built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup and replaced Newlands as the main Cape Town rugby base in 2021. Of the 10 test matches played in Cape Town, the All Blacks have won seven and the Boks three.

New Zealand team: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a, Damian McKenzie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupuo Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Replacements: Osafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett.