Scott Robertson backs young Blindside to deliver

By Will Toogood

The All Blacks have made four changes to their squad from the first test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.

For the second test in Cape Town, Wallace Sititi will make his first start at blindside flanker with Ethan Blackadder out with a hamstring injury.

Speaking to media following the team naming, coach Scott Robertson said he had confidence in the 21-year-old – who played No 8 for the Chiefs this season – after watching him in the team environment.

“He’s a hell of an athlete and built for these sorts of games. He’s a great defender, great skillset and we’ve been impressed with him the last couple of months. We believe with Ethan’s [Blackadder] injury, it’s his time.”

There are also changes in the back three – Will Jordan makes just his second start at fullback and Mark Tele’a moves from the bench to the wing after Caleb Clarke sustained a back injury in the Ellis Park test.

Robertson provided an update on the injuries to Clarke and Blackadder that have kept them out of the second test.

“Not major injuries but definitely out for this test. I’ll call them minor injuries, neither of them would be available to have played this weekend.”

Beauden Barrett moves to the bench as backs cover with Anton Lienert-Brown, who can both provide options in multiple positions.

Another big selection call has been made at halfback, with Cortez Ratima making his second test start in place of TJ Perenara, who also moves to the bench.

On the bench, Robertson said having experienced heads like Barrett and Perenara to provide energy in the game was an asset.

“We’ve looked at it and we’ve realised it’s really important to have experience at the end of games, it’s a great couple of names to put on there with a lot of tests and a lot of experience.”

The New Zealand front row remains unchanged with Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams all impressing in the first test.

Sam Darry gets another chance to make his mark in the All Blacks locking pecking order and Luke Jacobson will be tasked with covering the loose forward impact, with both named on the bench.

The Springboks initially delayed their team naming with injuries to key players deciding how their match-day squad shapes up. Captain Siya Kolisi has been cleared to play after suffering a cheek injury at Ellis Park. Handre Pollard returns to the first-five jersey, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu moving to the bench.

Eben Etzebeth returns also to the starting lineup, after coming on from the bench in the first test.

Canan Moodie and Jaden Hendrikse make their first appearances, on the wing and at halfback respectively, in the Springbok jersey since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

All Blacks v South Africa teams
All Blacks: 15. Will Jordan, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Mark Tele’a, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. Cortez Ratima, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Sam Cane, 6. Wallace Sititi, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Tamaiti Williams

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown

South Africa: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Jesse Kriel 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Jasper Wiese, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3.Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Ox Nche

Reserves: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Kwagga Smith, 20. Elrigh Louw, 21. Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23. Lukhanyo Am

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission