South Africa vs New Zealand: All Blacks name strong line-up for first Springboks test in Johannesburg

The All Blacks have named a strong starting XV for the opening Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday, August 22, as the two rugby giants renew one of the sport’s most celebrated rivalries.

New Zealand will head into the contest at Ellis Park with captain Ardie Savea leading a side that combines significant Test experience with several players making their first appearances on the tour.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:00pm EAT on Saturday, August 22, corresponding to 5:00pm local time in Johannesburg.

Savea will captain the All Blacks from the number eight position, with the veteran loose forward set to earn his 110th Test cap. He will be joined in the back row by Tupou Vaa’i and Luke Jacobson, while Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax form the front row.

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Hooker Codie Taylor is also set to reach the 110-Test milestone, underlining the level of experience New Zealand will have on the field when they face the reigning world champions.

The second row will feature Josh Lord and Fabian Holland, while Cam Roigard gets the nod at scrum-half. Ruben Love will start at fly-half, with Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea forming the midfield partnership.

There is plenty of excitement in the backline, with Will Jordan returning to the starting XV on the right wing and Damian McKenzie starting at fullback after recovering from injury. Josh Moorby completes the back three alongside Jordan and McKenzie.

Roigard, Jordan and Savea are all set to make their first appearances of the tour against the Springboks, while McKenzie’s return adds another experienced option to a side preparing for an enormous physical battle.

The All Blacks bench will be made up of Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown and Leroy Carter.

Few fixtures in international rugby carry the weight of a South Africa-New Zealand encounter. The All Blacks and Springboks have met 110 times, with New Zealand recording 63 victories, South Africa 43 and four matches ending in draws. Their first meeting came in 1921 in Dunedin, where the All Blacks prevailed 13-5.

However, recent history gives the Springboks plenty of confidence. South Africa defeated New Zealand 43-10 in their last meeting in Wellington in 2025, while the Springboks also prevailed in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, edging the All Blacks 12-11 in Paris.

The two sides are currently ranked first and second in the men’s world rankings, with South Africa occupying the top position and New Zealand second. Together, they have won seven of the 10 Rugby World Cups contested since the tournament began in 1987.

Ellis Park, meanwhile, has traditionally been a difficult venue for the All Blacks. New Zealand have played South Africa there 16 times, winning six and losing 10.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson believes the team’s preparation through the opening games of the tour has helped expose the younger members of the squad to the intensity of South African rugby.

“After all the build up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first Test underway,” Robertson said.

He added: “We have selected a balanced mix of big match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first Test.”

Robertson acknowledged that facing the Springboks in a Test match would represent a major step up for his players, particularly against the world’s number-one ranked side on home soil.

“We know the Test series will be a huge step up. We’re well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear,” he said.

The All Blacks coach also underlined the challenge of playing at Ellis Park in front of a passionate South African crowd.

“They are number one in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday,” Robertson said.

For the All Blacks, the opening Test represents an opportunity to respond to last year’s heavy defeat and make an early statement in the latest chapter of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

With Savea and Taylor bringing more than a century of Test appearances each, and players such as Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie adding pace and attacking threat, New Zealand will believe they have the personnel to challenge South Africa.

But the Springboks enter the contest as the world’s top-ranked side and will have home advantage behind them.

South Africa vs New Zealand: All Blacks match-day (Test caps in brackets):

1. Ethan de Groot (43)
2. Codie Taylor (109)
3. Tyrel Lomax (51)
4. Josh Lord (15)
5. Fabian Holland (12)
6. Tupou Vaa’i (47)
7. Luke Jacobson (27)
8. Ardie Savea (109) – Captain
9. Cam Roigard (20)
10. Ruben Love (8)
11. Josh Moorby (2)
12. Jordie Barrett (81)
13. Quinn Tupaea (26)
14. Will Jordan (57)
15. Damian McKenzie (77)

RESERVES

1. Asafo Aumua (22)
2. George Bower (26)
3. Fletcher Newell (37)
4. Anton Segner (2)
5. Peter Lakai (10)
6. Kyle Preston (1)
7. Anton Lienert-Brown (90)
8. Leroy Carter (7)

South Africa vs New Zealand — Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
Venue:Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Kick-off:6:10pm EAT (5:10pm South Africa time)

Where to watch: Supersport

The stage is set for another heavyweight battle between two of rugby’s most successful nations.