All Blacks confirm traveling squad to South Africa

NEWS: The All Blacks will travel to South Africa without Patrick Tuipulotu and Stephen Perofeta for the Rugby Championship showdown with the Springboks at Ellis Park and Cape Town next weekend.

Both are struggling with calf injuries which also kept them out of the two Tests against Argentina.

Lock Josh Lord and utility back Harry Plummer, who joined the squad as injury cover for the two Argentina Tests, will remain with the squad for two Tests against South Africa in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The All Blacks fly out to South Africa on Wednesday to prepare for the first Test, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, a week on Saturday.

Coach Scott Robertson confirmed that captain Scott Barrett was ready to tour.

“He’ll strap the pinky up and go at it. He’s important. He’s a big body, and that’s what you need over there.

Robertson said there is an ‘old school feeling’ about a tour to South Africa, and after finding the desired level of execution in their win on Saturday, they reflected on the opportunity ahead of them.

“We made sure we talked about what we did well last week. There’s seven debutants coming away to South Africa who haven’t played against South African teams or been away, so there’s a bit of excitement there.”

NEWS: Calf injuries will prevent Patrick Tuipulotu and Stephen Perofeta from travelling to South Africa

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— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 21, 2024

The 36-man squad traveling to South Africa is:

Forwards:

Hookers
Asafo Aumua
Codie Taylor
George Bell

Props
Ethan De Groot
Tyrel Lomax
Fletcher Newell
Pasilio Tosi
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Tamaiti Williams

Locks
Scott Barrett
Sam Darry
Josh Lord
Tupou Vaa’i

Loose Forwards
Ethan Blackadder
Sam Cane
Samipeni Finau
Luke Jacobson
Dalton Papali’i
Ardie Savea
Wallace Sititi

Backs 

Scrumhalves
Noah Hotham
TJ Perenara
Cortez Ratima

Flyhalves
Beauden Barrett
Damian McKenzie

Centres
Jordie Barrett
David Havili
Rieko Ioane
Anton Lienert-Brown
Billy Proctor

Outside backs
Caleb Clarke
Will Jordan
Ruben Love
Harry Plummer
Sevu Reece
Mark Tele’a