Beauden Barrett benched as All Blacks make four changes to face Springboks

CAPE TOWN :New Zealand have dropped fullback Beauden Barrett and scrumhalf TJ Perenara to the bench in four changes to their starting line-up to face South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday as Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke miss out through injury.

Coach Scott Robertson moved the experienced Barrett and Perenara to the roles of "finishers" after the All Blacks let a 10-point lead slip in the final 12 minutes of Saturday's 31-27 defeat by the Springboks in Johannesburg.

“It was a tough conversation, but both are great team men, they have been around a long time," Robertson told reporters. "The All Black jersey is important to all of us. If they have to come on and finish the job they will.

"They want to start and be out there for the majority of the match but they understand (why the decision has been made). It is two great names to have come on and finish the job for us."

Flanker Blackadder (hamstring) and winger Clarke (back), who scored two tries in Johannesburg, miss out after strong displays in the first test.

"They are not major injuries, but they are out for this test," Robertson said.

Will Jordan shifts to fullback, Sevu Reece comes in on the right wing with Mark Tele'a brought in on the left for the test in Cape Town.

Perenara is replaced at scrumhalf by Cortez Ratima, who gets only his second start for the All Blacks, while Wallace Sititi, who made his debut in July, takes the place of Blackadder on the blindside of the scrum.

"It is an opportunity to give Will a run at fullback. He has trained well and covers fullback anyway in the game with how we play," Robertson said.

"Sevu is world class wing, we are fortunate to have some quality players in the squad. Will and Sevu have played a lot of rugby