Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara were benched as New Zealand made five changes Thursday to their starting line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson reacted to last weekend’s 31-27 defeat in Johannesburg by bringing in Cortez Ratima for Perenara at scrum-half and moving Will Jordan to full-back in place of Barrett for the second match against the Springboks in Cape Town.
“TJ and Beauden will add significant experience and leadership when they run out and the 23 selected will put in a performance our fans both here and at home in New Zealand will be proud of,” Robertson said.
Veteran pair Perenara and Barrett have played more than 200 games for New Zealand between them.
Ratima, 23, will win his fourth cap after making his debut against England in July.
Barnstorming loose forward Wallace Sititi, 21, will make his first start to replace Ethan Blackadder, who has a hamstring injury.
Wings Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece replace Jordan and Caleb Clarke, who has a back injury, respectively.
Flanker Luke Jacobson was named on the bench to provide back-row cover.
Last weekend’s win over New Zealand cemented South Africa’s place at the top of the championship table with three straight victories.
After back-to-back wins in Australia, the Springboks are on course to win the championship for the first time since 2019.
South Africa will name their team later Thursday.
New Zealand (15-1):
Will Jordan; Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi; Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (capt); Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett
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