The All Blacks have been dealt a late blow ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park.

Flanker Anton Segner has been confirmed as a late withdrawal for the clash against South Africa and has been replaced on the bench by Simon Parker.

Simon Parker replaces Anton Segner

German-born Segner made his Test debut for New Zealand in the Nations Championship fixture against Italy, coming off the bench in the victory, and earned a second cap versus Ireland a week later.

According to the All Blacks, the 25-year-old presented with a swollen ankle, which has been assessed as acute inflammatory arthritis, with his return to play still yet to be determined.

His replacement, Parker, featured in the tour matches against the Stormers and Bulls and is in line to earn his ninth Test match for New Zealand. He joins Peter Lakai, Fletcher Newell, George Bower and Asafo Amua as the forwards on the bench. Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Leroy Carter will provide backline cover.

The remainder of the team to face the Springboks remains unchanged, with Damian McKenzie starting at full-back; Will Jordan and Josh Moorby are the starting wingers as Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea combine in the centres.

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Ardie Savea captains the team from the back-row, which includes Luke Jacobson and Tupou Vaa’i, with Fabian Holland and Josh Lord named as the starting locks. Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor and Ethan de Groot complete the starting XV in the front-row.

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Updated All Blacks team to face the Springboks

All Blacks: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Simon Parker, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, 22 August, 2026
Kick-off: 17:10 (local SAST), 16:10 (UK), 17:10 (France), 17:10 (South Africa), 01:10 (23 August, AEST), 03:10 (23 August, New Zealand), 12:10 (Argentina), 00:10 (23 August, JST), 11:10 (EDT)
How to watch: Sky Sports (UK and Ireland), Sky Sport / Sky Sport Now (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa), Stan Sport / Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), Premier Sports (Canada), WOWOW (Japan), ESPN Sur (Central/South America and Caribbean)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

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