All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett returns from injury to the starting line-up for the upcoming match against South Africa at Ellis Park.
Former captain Sam Cane joins him in the starting pack for the first time this year, replacing Dalton Papali’i in the No.7 jersey.
Cane’s return will bring valuable experience and defensive ability against the world champions.
He wore the same jersey the last time he played the Boks when he was yellow-carded and sent off for a head-on-head collision in last year’s World Cup final in Paris.
Cane has provided the team’s younger members with a wealth of knowledge ahead of the challenge at South African rugby’s high-altitude stronghold.
This will be his 97th Test and first start since the World Cup final.
Samipeni Finau provides cover on the bench. His last Test was as a blindside flanker in the All Blacks’ victory over England at Eden Park.
Head coach Scott Robertson expressed his excitement for the occasion and the electric atmosphere at Ellis Park.
All Blacks team to play South Africa
Ellis Park, kick-off 3am, Sunday NZT
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.
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