All Blacks make three pack changes for Soweto Test as centurion Taylor is dropped

New Zealand announced ‌three changes to their starting line-up for the third Test against South Africa at ‌FNB Stadium on Saturday, including dropping ⁠experienced hooker Codie Taylor.

Asafo Aumua will ⁠start at hooker with Samisoni Taukei’aho coming onto the bench in the change to the front row as Taylor, with 111 Test caps, ‌is omitted.

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Sam Darry will play his first Test of the four-match series as he replaces Fabian Holland in the ‌second row, with Holland dropping to the bench and Patrick Tuipulotu falling out of the matchday squad.

Peter Lakai is brought into the loose trio in place of ‌Simon Parker, with ⁠Wallace Sititi included among the replacements for the first time in the Test series.

The backline remains unchanged from last Saturday’s 33-26 loss to the Springboks in the second Test in Cape Town.

Ardie Savea will again captain the side with a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench.

The All Blacks were ⁠worthy 33-16 winners in the first test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The fourth test is in Baltimore in the United States on 12 September.

Saturday’s Test kicks off at 17:10.

Springboks

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok

All Blacks

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11