All Blacks make five changes against South Africa

The All Blacks made five changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s second Rugby Championship test against South Africa on Thursday, with experienced players TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett left on the bench.

After the 31-27 defeat to the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday, coach Scott Robertson replaced Perenara with 23-year-old Cortez Ratima at scrum-half. Will Jordan moves from the wing to take Beauden Barrett’s place at fullback for the second test against the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday. With over 200 caps between them, “TJ and Beauden will bring significant experience and leadership when they come on board.”Robertson said in a statement.

In the third row wing, Wallace Sititi, 21, will make his first start to replace the injured Ethan Blackadder. On the wings, Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece replace Jordan and Caleb Clarke, also injured.

Last weekend’s win over New Zealand allowed South Africa to consolidate its place at the top of the competition with three consecutive victories, including two in Australia. The Springboks (14 points to 6 for second-placed New Zealand) are on course to win the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019, which would end New Zealand’s dominance.

The composition of New Zealand:

Will Jordan – Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a – Damian McKenzie (o), Cortez Ratima (m) – Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi – Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (cap.) – Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams

Subs: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett