Tension mounting as Springboks, All Blacks ready for opening test of tour series

Ardie Savea will lead the All Blacks in their first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday. Despite the No 8 arriving late to New Zealand for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, coach Dave Rennie decided to start him in the lineup. This will be Savea's 110th match for his country. Joining him in the loose trio are Tupou Vaa’i and Luke Jacobson.

Damian McKenzie has recovered from a minor injury to replace fullback Beauden Barrett in the starting lineup. Additionally, wing Will Jordan and scrumhalf Cam Roigard, both sidelined due to injuries, have been given the green light to play. Cam Roigard is fit to participate in the match. Ruben Love will take the place of Barrett as the flyhalf.

The Springboks will reveal their team later on Thursday. The All Blacks squad includes Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Tupaea Quinn, Beauden Barrett, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard (captain), Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Josh Lord, Tyrel Lomax, Ethan de Groot, and the bench consists of Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Leroy Carter.