All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has handed first call-ups to three uncapped players among 10 additions to his squad for a gruelling eight-match tour of South Africa, a trip he has called "the toughest tour in rugby".
The squad grows from 34 to 44 players for a trip that combines three Tests against the World Cup champion Springboks with four midweek franchise matches and a final Test against the United States in Baltimore on Sept. 13. All 34 members of the Nations Championship squad that beat France, Italy and Ireland have been retained.
The new caps are Hurricanes prop Siale Lauaki, Moana Pasifika back-rower Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa and Chiefs fly-half Josh Jacomb, joined by prop Ollie Norris, hooker George Bell, lock Fabian Holland, back-rower Ethan Blackadder, centres Timoci Tavatavanawai and Rieko Ioane, and winger Emoni Narawa.
The trip revives old-fashioned touring, with weekend and midweek games against the Stormers (Aug. 8), Sharks (Aug. 12), Bulls (Aug. 16) and Lions (Aug. 26) either side of Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town. With the Springboks ranked No. 1 and New Zealand No. 2, the series is promoted as a renewal of rugby's "greatest rivalry".
"Every player will be required to play their part, whether it's preparing to play or helping their mates prepare," Rennie said. New Zealand have won only one Test series in South Africa, in 1996, and trail the Springboks 43-63 with four draws in 110 meetings.
Ardie Savea will captain the Tests but will join the squad late after a break, with other captains expected to be named for the franchise games.
Sources
- [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/rugby-new-zealand-south-africa-springboks-e6e47f507b597bfac9eb4315497dc061)
