Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane is ready to begin a Check match for the primary time since final 12 months’s heartbreaking loss within the Rugby World Cup Remaining. Identical to that decider for the game’s final prize, Cane will put on the famed No. 7 jersey in opposition to the Springboks.
Cane turned the primary man to be despatched off in a Rugby World Cup Remaining after a excessive shot on Jesse Kriel within the 29th minute final October. The backrower was initially proven a yellow card beneath overview, with the TMO later figuring out the incident met the crimson card threshold.
“It’s one thing sadly I’m going to should dwell with without end,” Cane instructed reporters that night time in Saint-Denis. Cane has since introduced that he’ll retire from worldwide rugby on the finish of 2024 however the 32-year-old will get a minimum of yet another likelihood to play the Boks.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named Cane at openside flanker in the absence of Dalton Papali’i. The All Black told RugbyPass earlier this week that there’s “nothing personal” about playing the Springboks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Average Points scored
19
The return of Cane is one of two changes to the First XV, and the other difference is quite significant as well. Current skipper Scott Barrett is back in the fold for the first time since New Zealand’s one-sided demolition of the Flying Fijians in San Diego last month.
Other than captain Barrett at lock and Cane at openside flanker, the rest of the forward pack appears to be of little surprise. Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax and Tupou Vaa’i join the All Blacks captain in the tight five.
Tasman Mako and Crusaders enforcer Ethan Blackadder has been named at blindside flanker for the third Test on the bounce after impressing against Argentina. Cane will man the other flank while the ever-reliable Ardie Savea is the starting No. 8.
Once again, TJ Perenara will link up with Damian McKenzie in the halves. Outside of those two, Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane will combine in the midfield as they look to make an impact by both doing some damage themselves and providing quality ball to others outside them.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan are the two wingers, while former two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett has been given the nod at fullback.
On the bench, Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry and Samipeni Finau will look to add impact off the pine as forward cover. As for the backs, halfback Cortez Ratima, midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and winger Mark Tele’a are the reserves.
This Saturday’s highly anticipated Rugby World Cup Final ‘rematch’ between the Springboks and All Blacks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park will kick-off at 5:00 pm local time.
All Blacks team to take on Springboks in Johannesburg
First XV
- Tamaiti Williams
- Codie Taylor
- Tyrel Lomax
- Scott Barrett (c)
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Ethan Blackadder
- Sam Cane
- Ardie Savea
- TJ Perenara
- Damian McKenzie
- Caleb Clarke
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
- Beauden Barrett
Replacements
- Asafo Aumua
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- Fletcher Newell
- Sam Darry
- Samipeni Finau
- Cortez Ratima
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Mark Tele’a
