The All Blacks team to play South Africa at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, this Saturday 7 October 2017 is :
The matchday 23 (with Test caps in brackets) is:
1. Kane Hames (4)
2. Dane Coles (53)
3. Nepo Laulala (8)
4. Samuel Whitelock (91)
5. Scott Barrett (12)
6. Liam Squire (11)
7. Sam Cane (48)
8. Kieran Read (105) – Captain
9. Aaron Smith (66)
10. Beauden Barrett (58)
11. Rieko Ioane (8)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (41)
13. Ryan Crotty (30)
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (10)
15. Damian McKenzie (7)
16. Codie Taylor (24)
17. Wyatt Crockett (66)
18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (9)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (13)
20. Matt Todd (9)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (26)
22. Lima Sopoaga (11)
23. David Havili (1)
As expected, the five All Blacks who came to South Africa early ( the holiday makers who spent time on Camps Bay beach see pic below ) have all been named in the matchday 23.
Samuel Whitelock returns to the second row alongside Scott Barrett, Liam Squire is at blindside flanker and Sam Cane is at openside, with Matt Todd moving to the bench.
In the backs, Ryan Crotty has been named at centre, while Nehe Milner-Skudder is on the right wing.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been named at reserve halfback while Lima Sopoaga provides additional back cover alongside David Havili.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “We’ve settled in well in Cape Town this week.
However, our preparation has been different because of the need to recover well from all the travel.
This has meant that there’s been less time on the park and an even greater emphasis than normal on the mental side of our preparation.
As always, getting real clarity of our roles and how we want to play has been key.
“We know we’ll be playing a proud Springbok side which will be determined to rectify what happened in Albany.
While it’s necessary for us to try and anticipate what they’re going to bring to the match, it’s more important for us to focus on what we’re going to bring to the encounter.
Our skill execution, our physicality and our ability to play our ‘triple threat’ game will be critical.
“The team is really looking forward to playing at Newlands after a nine-year absence.
The beach boys: Squire ,Cane ,Sopoaga.Whitelock,Crotty -Camps Bay Beach
“We know we have a huge fanbase here and the hospitality and reception we have received from the local folks has been fantastic.”
Key notes:
• The All Blacks and South Africa have played each other 94 times, with 56 wins to the All Blacks, 35 to South Africa and three draws.
• The All Blacks have scored 49 tries this year, so the next one makes 50 – and that will be the 13th time this century. It is ten years since any other team has reached 50 tries.
• This will be the tenth time the All Blacks have played South Africa at Newlands.
The last match there was in 2008, which the All Blacks won 19-0.
The Boks took it up the nought ..I was at that game along with Stuart Rubin marketing boss for BMG Records and the next year we did the 1st Music Exchange conference.
• David Havili’s debut try last weekend was the 100th Test match try converted by Beauden Barrett.
As well, Barrett has already equalled his last year’s Investec Rugby Championship record of 23 conversions for the season. The all-time record for the All Blacks is 27.
• Barrett and his teammate Damian McKenzie have each made 57 carries this campaign, more than any other player at the tournament.
• The All Blacks won The Rugby Championship in 2012 – 2014 and again in 2016 and 2017, have held the Freedom Cup (played between New Zealand and South Africa) since 2010 and the Bledisloe Cup (played between New Zealand and Australia) since 2003.
Martin Myers 
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