The All Blacks are staying in Cape Town for the early part of the week before flying to Johannesburg and feel only minor tweaks are necessary in response to their setback.<\/p>\n
It is difficult to see the backline changing much, provided right wing Will Jordan, who struggled with a neck issue yesterday, is passed fit.<\/p>\n
Leroy Carter, a surprise selection on the left wing, was one of the All Blacks\u2019 best at DHL Stadium so is unlikely to be shifted and while Ruben Love endured the most challenging Test of his career, he is likely to retain the No.10 jersey.<\/p>\n
![\"All](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/all-blacks-hooker-asafo-aumua-YQ7GDWEWNZDUBKKX6BPI7QYUHQ.jpg\")
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All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua is pushing for a start in the third Test against the Boks. (Source: Getty)<\/p>\n
The forwards will probably be freshened up, however, and will receive a big boost if prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord are cleared. Both missed the latest Test due to concussion injuries suffered in the first Test victory in Johannesburg<\/a>, with de Groot also carrying a knee issue.<\/p>\n Lord\u2019s inclusion will assist his team\u2019s lineout \u2013 a problem yesterday \u2013 with lock Tupou Vaa\u2019i likely to move back to blindside flanker.<\/p>\n Openside flanker Peter Lakai is potentially the big mover this week as he could come in for Luke Jacobson, who has worn the No.7 jersey in the first and second Tests.<\/p>\n Lakai provided plenty of impact when entering the game off the bench yesterday and the same applies to hooker Asafo Aumua, who must be pushing Codie Taylor close for a start.<\/p>\n Lock Fabian Holland has played big minutes in both Tests but has quickly proven to be a crucial part of the All Blacks’ pack and the selectors will be reluctant to remove him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have a look at some players who have played two 80s in a row. There could be an opportunity to change and get some fresh legs on,\u201d scrum coach Jason Ryan said.<\/p>\n \u201cLuke Jacobson had a bit of flu last night and Peter Lakai came on and was exceptional. All those sorts of things add to how you can shift momentum and be fresh.<\/p>\n \u201cThis tour has brought competition in this squad right across the park. It\u2019s pretty exciting. That\u2019s the way you want it. There\u2019s been good trainings that have had a bit of edge.<\/p>\n \u201cThe selectors have a tough job this week, which is good.\u201d<\/p>\n The mid-week matches provided excellent preparation for the first Test and gave the All Blacks an early advantage over the Boks, but Ryan and his fellow coaches will be pleased to focus only on the two remaining Tests now.<\/p>\n Ruben Love has Ardie Savea in support against the Boks in Cape Town. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n \u201cThis week coming is going to be big,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cA World Cup is a World Cup but this one at this ground \u2013 90-plus thousand \u2013 it\u2019s going to be up there.\u201d<\/p>\n The All Blacks have won both their previous two Tests at FNB Stadium \u2013 a 32-16 victory in 2012 and a 29-22 win two years prior. The latter attracted a crowd of more than 94,000.<\/p>\n As the team\u2019s scrum expert, Ryan would have taken a keen interest in the comments of Boks coach Rassie Erasmus yesterday in stridently claiming his team do not use illegal tactics<\/a> in the set piece.<\/p>\n Of his South African rival\u2019s outburst, Ryan said: \u201cIt\u2019s a bit of friendly fire, isn\u2019t it? There\u2019s been some interesting comments made in the media but that\u2019s the pressure of Test footy and that\u2019s what it\u2019s about in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n And he maintained the All Blacks were following World Rugby\u2019s direction in scrummaging \u201csquare\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe direction World Rugby want is really clear \u2013 you\u2019ve got to scrum square and not step left,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019ve been working on. We\u2019ve had some rewards for that, and some we haven\u2019t. We\u2019ll keep focusing on what we need to do to keep square.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to concentrate on what we need to get better on. Second Tests are always that little bit harder. Everyone knows that bit more about each other. They probably found out a couple more things about us and got the right end of the score.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Ruben](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ruben-love-has-ardie-savea-in-support-against-the-boks-in-ca-6GHJQYIFTZE3RHXP3N4JMCBSHE.jpg\")
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