Overview
- Scans confirmed on Sunday that Billy Proctor has a fractured shoulder blade from the 38-21 victory over the Stormers on Friday, and he will return to New Zealand for an expected 10–12 week recovery.
- Hooker George Bell already left the tour with a calf injury, making Proctor the second player to depart the 44‑man touring party and reducing New Zealand’s midfield options.
- Coach Dave Rennie named a rotated side for the next provincial game against the Sharks in Durban, with Luke Jacobson to captain and two uncapped players, Bradley Slater and Semisi Ta'eiloa, set to make their All Blacks debuts off the bench.
- Rennie said the management will bring in a replacement and confirmed the coaching staff are considering options such as Richie Mo’unga, though any call‑up remains unconfirmed at this stage.
- South Africa completed a narrow win in Buenos Aires but must scan captain Siya Kolisi for a hamstring issue, and both nations will use the upcoming Sharks, Bulls and Lions fixtures to finalise Test selections and address flagged weaknesses in scrum, maul and the aerial contest.