All Blacks coach Ian Foster made eight changes to his starting line-up for the Test against the Springboks, recalling veterans such as Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick.
Springbok team v All Blacks: Lood de Jager back, Kwagga Smith at flank, Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn on bench
"This has got a bit of a legacy moment feel about it - 100 Tests and 100 years, it certainly makes it special, along with the fact we haven't played South Africa for a couple of years," he said. But Foster said the All Blacks, who top the Rugby Championship table and can wrap up the tournament with a win, were not dwelling on the match's historic importance."We are all aware of the history and legacy of this match and respect that, but the only way we can do justice to that is to prepare well and focus on what we have to do," he said.
The majority of Foster's changes were up front, an area where he said the All Blacks expect a"torrid" time from the physical South Africans. Prop Joe Moody is the only remaining member of the tight five that started against Argentina, with Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett and Retallick all brought in.Beauden Barrett returns at fly-half with Damian McKenzie moving to the bench and David Havili replaces Quinn Tupaea in the centres."It will be the first time a number of our guys have played South Africa so they're excited and ready for it.
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