Overview
- New Zealand opened the tour with a 38-21 win over the Stormers on Friday and now travel to Durban to face the Sharks before a Bulls match and the first Test at Ellis Park on August 22.
- Luke Jacobson will captain the All Blacks against the Sharks as coach Dave Rennie uses the provincial fixtures to finalise selections and manage player workloads.
- The touring party has been hit by injuries and precautionary withdrawals: centre Billy Proctor has a fractured shoulder blade and has returned home for an expected 10–12 week layoff, while scrumhalf Cam Roigard was withdrawn from the Sharks game with a tight calf.
- The Sharks also made late changes with Vincent Tshituka and Emile van Heerden ruled out, and the club named 44‑year‑old Ma’a Nonu on the bench in a mentor‑player role.
- South Africa recalled veteran Deon Fourie into their Test group as coaches assess Siya Kolisi’s hamstring and analysts urge the All Blacks to fix set‑piece, scrum and high‑ball weaknesses before the Tests.