Rugby
Cane to start against the Springboks─── MORGAN PIEK 09:01 Thu, 29 Aug 2024
“To play South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for and we will embrace the occasion. We have a lot of respect for the Springboks and we are looking forward to what will be an electric atmosphere at an iconic venue.”
Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane has been named in the starting XV for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg.
The 32-year-old, who’s expected to be playing in the city for the last time, gets his first starting role since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, which was won 12-11 by the Springboks in Paris.
It will be the 97th time he plays for the All Blacks and he will seek some redemption. During the World Cup final he received a red card after making contact with Jesse Kriel’s head in the 28th minute. He received a yellow card which was upgraded to a red card following a bunker review.
Sam Cane. Picture: Getty
The lock, Scott Barrett, returns to captain the team. His brother, Jodie, will play inside centre and is a vice-captain, while Beauden will run out at fullback.
The All Blacks coach, Scott Robertson, said playing against the Springboks at Ellis Park is one of the biggest challenges in international rugby, and they are geared for the occasion. “To play South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for and we will embrace the occasion,” said Robertson.
“We have a lot of respect for the Springboks and we are looking forward to what will be an electric atmosphere at an iconic venue.”
Saturday’s Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at Ellis Park will kick off at 17:00.
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 2 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handré Pollard
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements – 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele'a
