By Patrick McKendry, Digital Sport Reporter
All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett returns from injury to the starting line-up to play South Africa at Ellis Park on Sunday morning NZT, with former captain Sam Cane joining him in the starting pack for the first time this year.
Barrett, back as expected from a finger injury which has kept him out of the last two Tests, will partner Tupou Vaa’i in the second row.
It’s the return of Cane that is probably more of a talking point, although it’s not unexpected either given the value his experience and defensive ability will bring against the world champions.
Cane returned from a long-term back injury off the bench in the big win over Argentina at Eden Park a couple of weeks ago and replaces Dalton Papali’i in the No.7 jersey.
It is the same jersey he wore the last time he played the Boks – when he was yellow carded and then sent off for a head-on-head collision in last year’s World Cup final in Paris.
Cane has provided a wealth of knowledge to the younger members of the team this week ahead of what will be a huge challenge at South African rugby’s high-altitude stronghold.
It will be his 97th Test and first start since the World Cup final.
Papali’i has been left out of the squad entirely, with fellow loose forward Samipeni Finau providing cover on the bench. Finau’s last Test was at blindside flanker in the All Blacks victory over England at Eden Park.
Head coach Scott Robertson said: “To play South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the greatest Tests you can prepare for; we will embrace the occasion. We have a lot of respect for the Springboks and we are looking forward to what will be an electric atmosphere at an iconic venue.”
Otherwise, the 23 has a settled look, with TJ Perenara starting at halfback again in a backline unchanged from the recent victory over the Pumas.
1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett.
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Mark Tele’a.
