The All Blacks have been dealt their first injury blow in South Africa with Dave Rennie forced to call in a front row replacement.
New Zealand Rugby have confirmed that Crusaders hooker George Bell will return home after sustaining a calf injury during training in Cape Town on Sunday and will be sidelined for four to six weeks.
Bell suffered the injury in one of the All Blacks‘ first training sessions in the Mother City ahead of the opening game of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the Stormers.
He was added to the squad following the Nations Championship matches as the team’s fourth-choice hooker behind Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua and Samisoni Taukei’aho, but his tour is over before it even began.
Bradley Slater called to South Africa
Following the setback, Rennie has called in 27-year-old Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater, who becomes the latest uncapped player included in the squad, taking the overall tally to four.
Slater’s father Andy is a Taranaki rugby legend while his uncle Gordon played six matches for the All Blacks, including three Tests, in 1997 and 2000.
The Blues front-rower made a name for himself at New Plymouth Boys’ High School as both a rugby player and a cricketer, playing for the school’s First XV and First XI.
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He made the New Zealand Schools team and the Chiefs side in 2019, playing more than 60 games for the Super Rugby side through to 2025, before transferring to the Blues. He continued his rise in rugby, earning selection for the All Blacks XV in 2024 and 2025.
“We are all gutted for George, to be ruled out of the tour so early,” said All Blacks head coach Rennie.
“He’s had a frustrating past few months with injury so it’s a real blow for him to have injured his calf again. We look forward to seeing him return via the NPC and put himself in a position to push for All Blacks selection later in the year.”
All Blacks legend bemoans unnecessary match during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour: ‘It’s too long’
Updated All Blacks squad in full
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater
Props: Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki
Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland
Loose Forwards: Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (c), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
Half-backs: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston
Fly-halves: Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai
Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures 2026
Friday 7 August: Stormers v New Zealand, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday 11 August: Sharks v New Zealand, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Saturday 15 August: Bulls v New Zealand, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday 22 August: South Africa v New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (first Test)
Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday 29 August: South Africa v New Zealand, DHL Stadium, Cape Town (second Test)
Saturday 5 September: South Africa v New Zealand, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (third Test)
Saturday 12 September: South Africa v New Zealand, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (fourth Test)