All Blacks and Springboks name teams for Rugby Championship clash of titans

Ardie Savea is due to play his 100th test match for the All Blacks

New Zealand's All Blacks players react after losing a rugby championship match against Argentina. File picture: Gustavo Garello/AP

Both coaches have named their squads for the upcoming clash between world rugby titans New Zealand and South Africa in the Rugby Championship.

Notably, Siya Kolisi has been relieved of his captaining duties for this contest. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus put it up to his recent absence, saying he had chosen Jesse Kriel as his captain before Kolisi's return from an injury.

All Blacks' Ardie Savea is due to make a whopping 100th appearance for his country on Saturday. New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson was full of praise and respect for his loose forward: “Ardie embodies everything that makes an All Black. He brings an extraordinary level of passion, leadership, and mana every time he pulls on the jersey. 

"We will honour his milestone with a performance that reflects not just his quality on the field, but the example he sets every day."

New Zealand's Ardie Savea. File picture

In terms of other team news, All Black's Tupou Vaa’i shifts from loose forward to lock, while Fabian Holland moves into an impact role. The returning Tyrel Lomax and Du’Plessis Kirifi will add power on the bench. The only other change is Emoni Narawa coming on to the wing in the backline.

As for the Boks, Eben Etzebeth, returns to the starting XV in the engine room alongside Ruan Nortje while Pieter-Steph du Toit returns as flanker.

There is only one change in the backline and that is at fullback where Willie le Roux will start after being forced to withdraw against the Wallabies.

NEW ZEALAND: 15. W Jordan, 14. E Narawa, 13. B Proctor, 12. J Barrett, 11. R Ioane, 10. B Barrett, 9. F Christie; 1. E de Groot, 2. C Taylor, 3. F Newell, 4. S Barrett (captain), 5. T Vaa’i, 6. S Parker, 7. A Savea, 8. W Sititi.

Replacements: 16. S Taukei’aho, 17. T Williams, 18. T Lomax, 19. F Holland, 20. D Kirifi, 21. K Preston, 22. Q Tupaea, 23. D McKenzie.

SOUTH AFRICA: 15. W le Roux, 14. C Kolbe, 13. J Kriel (captain), 12. D de Allende, 11. C Moodie, 10. H Pollard, 9. G Williams; 1. O Nche, 2. M Marx, 3. T du Toit, 4. E Etzebeth, 5. R Nortje, 6. M van Staden, 7. P du Toit, 8. S Kolisi. 

Replacements: 16. J Wessels, 17. B Venter, 18. W Louw, 19. L de Jager, 20. K Smith, 21. C Reinach, 22. S Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23. E Hooker.