#hakinakina: All Blacks Load Up for Historic Springbok Tour with Blend of Experience and New Talent

The All Blacks have named a 44-player squad for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour, assembling a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talent for what is being described as one of the toughest assignments in world rugby.

The seven-week tour will see New Zealand play eight matches in six weeks, including four Test matches against the world champion Springboks and fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions before the final Test in Baltimore, United States. It will be the first traditional full-scale All Blacks tour of South Africa since the historic 1996 series victory.

Head coach Dave Rennie and selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes have retained all 34 players from the successful Nations Championship squad that recorded victories over France, Italy and Ireland, while adding another 10 players to provide depth for the demanding itinerary.

Among the biggest talking points are the selection of three uncapped players—prop Siale Lauaki, loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, and first five-eighth Josh Jacomb—who could earn their first Test caps during the tour. Their inclusion reflects the selectors’ desire to continue building depth ahead of future international campaigns.

The squad also welcomes back several familiar faces, including George Bell, Ollie Norris, Fabian Holland, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa, all returning after injury or time away from the national side.

Captain Ardie Savea will again lead the All Blacks but will join the squad closer to the opening Test after being given an extended break to manage his workload. The coaching staff says balancing player welfare with performance remains a priority as the international calendar becomes increasingly demanding.

The squad also reflects the continued strength of Māori and Pasifika representation within New Zealand rugby. Players with whakapapa across iwi and Pacific communities remain central to the All Blacks’ identity, bringing leadership, skill and physicality to one of the sport’s most iconic rivalries.

For many supporters, the tour carries significance beyond rugby. The rivalry between the All Blacks and Springboks has shaped the history of the game for more than a century and remains deeply connected to New Zealand’s sporting identity. This year’s tour revives the tradition of extended overseas campaigns that test not only playing ability but also resilience, adaptability and squad depth.

The All Blacks begin the tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on 8 August, before embarking on a demanding schedule that culminates in a four-Test series against South Africa.

With experienced campaigners joined by a new generation eager to make their mark, the All Blacks will be aiming to write another chapter in one of rugby’s greatest rivalries.

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