{
  "id": 2111951,
  "title": "Savea to captain All Blacks in first Test against Boks, as Roigard, Jordan passed fit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/savea-to-captain-all-blacks-in-first-test-against-boks-as-roigard",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T10:20:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/savea-to-captain-all-blacks-in-first-test-against-boks-as-roigard-jordan-passed-fit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The team also includes Ruben Love at flyhalf. and Damian McKenzie at fullback.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ardie Savea captains All Blacks in first Test against Boks",
    "Beauden Barrett replaced by Damian McKenzie at fullback",
    "Cam Roigard fit to play in the match"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Ardie Savea's promotion to captain for the first Test signals a leadership opportunity for him as he takes charge in his 110th match for New Zealand against the Springboks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "New Zealand's Jordan, Roigard fit to face Springboks in first test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/new-zealands-jordan-roigard-fit-to-face-springboks-in-first-test",
        "published": "2026-08-20T10:24:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Ardie Savea to captain All Blacks as star duo returns for Springboks Test at Ellis Park",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/ardie-savea-to-captain-all-blacks-as-star-duo-returns-for-springboks",
        "published": "2026-08-20T10:34:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}