Rugby: All Blacks name three new caps for Springboks tour

Rennie hands out three debuts before the biggest tour

Three new faces. One brutal assignment. Dave Rennie has named a 44-man All Blacks squad for the Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa, and he has done it by throwing three uncapped players into the mix. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Siale Lauaki and Josh Jacomb all earn their first call-ups.

Waiting at the end of the trip is a four-Test series against the Springboks on their own turf. Rennie is not easing anyone in.

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The returns matter as much as the debuts

Rennie also gets bodies back. Ollie Norris, George Bell, Fabian Holland, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa all return after missing the Nations Championship. Rieko Ioane keeps his place too, retained since his comeback against Ireland.

The squad opens against the Stormers on August 8, then meets the Sharks, Bulls and Lions before the Tests begin. Four URC sides, then four Tests against South Africa. The workload is the story.

Savea joins late

Captain Ardie Savea will only link up with the group before the first Test, which leaves Rennie to name a stand-in leader for the opening weeks. A tour built to be survived, not sprinted.

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