South Africa vs New Zealand teams: All Blacks name strongest line-up in revenge mission against Springboks

Kieran Read returns to lead the recently-crowned Rugby Championship winners while South Africa start fit-again Damian de Allende at centre

Kieran Read returns to lead the All Blacks against South Africa (AFP/Getty)

Captain Kieran Read returns to the New Zealand team as coach Steve Hansen on Thursday named his strongest available side for their last test in the Rugby Championship against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday.

Read, who had back surgery last year, had been allowed to miss last week’s 35-17 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires, instead travelling directly to South Africa and avoiding part of an arduous two-week trip.

In his absence New Zealand clinched the Rugby Championship for the third successive year, but will be determined to finish with an away win over the Springboks, who upset them in Wellington 36-34 last month for a rare blemish on the All Blacks’ record in the southern hemisphere competition.

There are three other changes from last Saturday’s starting side with first choice Aaron Smith returning at scrum-half, veteran Owen Franks back in the front row and Jack Goodhue getting the nod over Ryan Crotty at centre.

Crotty, TJ Perenara and Ofa Tu’ungafasi drop to the bench.

There had been some speculation that Hansen might continue with some experimentation now that their World Cup opener against South Africa is less than one year away.

The selection, however, is a clear signal that the world champions want to restore their dominance over the Springboks at a sell-out Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Read was allowed to miss the trip to Argentina in order to rest for the Springboks (Reuters)

“Test matches between the All Blacks and Springboks are always intense and dramatic contests, and we expect this weekend will be no different,” Hansen said.

“It’s a test match that everyone in New Zealand expects us to win. The fact that it’s an All Blacks-Springboks test match makes it even more exciting and it’s one that we’re really looking forward to.

“South Africa are playing with a lot of confidence and after their two recent wins, their confidence levels will be even higher. So we’ll need to respond with real purpose, composure, belief and intensity.

“While our preparation this week has had to be slightly modified because of our travel, it has still been thorough, which should put us in good stead for Saturday.”

Willie le Roux will win his 50th cap for the Springboks on Saturday (Reuters)

Springboks full-back Willie le Roux meanwhile will win his 50th cap against the All Blacks after being named in a side that sees Damian de Allende, Francois Louw and Steven Kitschoff return, the latter two in place of Sikhumbuzo Notsche and Tendai Mtawarira. Following the 23-12 victory over Australia last weekend, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is looking to complete a rare double of the All Blacks, something that they have not done since 2009.

De Allende has recovered from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the game with the Wallabies, while Kitschoff and Louw are brought in due to tactical calls.

“Damian trained very well and took full contact this week, so he is ready,” said Erasmus. “Notshe played well against the Wallabies and will offer us something different when he goes on, but Flo [Louw] has a lot of experience and is good on the ground.

“Willie has grown immensely since making his debut five years ago and his calm influence at the back, as well as his experience, will be vital on Saturday. He deserves this accolade.”

Teams

South Africa: Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolde, Jesse Kriel, Damien de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitschoff, Malcom Marx, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kollisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Louw.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Sikhumbuzo Notsche, Embrose Papier, Elton Jantjies, Damian Willemse.

New Zealand: Ben Smith; Waisake Naholo, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Karl Tu’inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frissell, Sam Cane, Kieran Read.

Replacements: Nathan Harris, Tim Perry, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty.

Reuters