New Zealand forced into late change for first test against Springboks
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Rugby Union - New Zealand Press Conference - Sandton Sun and Towers, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 21, 2026 New Zealand's Ardie Savea and head coach Dave Rennie before the press conference REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 22 - New Zealand have been forced into a late change to their squad for the first test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday as loose forward Simon Parker comes onto the replacements' bench for injured flanker Anton Segner.
Segner complained of a swollen ankle, which has been assessed as acute inflammatory arthritis, the team said in a statement.
Parker, 26, has played seven tests for New Zealand after making his debut in 2025.
The All Blacks face the Springboks at 1510 GMT, the first of four tests in the series, the first three of which are in South Africa before a final game in Baltimore, United States.
New Zealand team:
15-Damian McKenzie, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Josh Moorby, 10-Ruben Love, 9-Cam Roigard, 8-Ardie Savea (captain), 7-Luke Jacobson, 6-Tupou Vaa'i, 5-Fabian Holland, 4-Josh Lord, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-George Bower, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Simon Parker, 20-Peter Lakai, 21-Kyle Preston, 22-Anton Lienert-Brown, 23-Leroy Carter. REUTERS
