All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?

“In Africa”

That’s not so bad, I guess. It’s kind of like saying ‘in Europe’ when going to play France. Referring to the South African team as ‘Africa’ would simply be incorrect.

@Landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Rennie has just said Mounga can only join the SA tour squad as injury cover. As predicted by many, a nice loop hole

Did he give a little smirk and a wink when he answered the question!?

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

Dr Livingstone i presume?

@Chris-B. The Tshituka brothers are both from Congo and Vintcent is in the squad

Anyone heard how Emoni Narawa's foot is?

@Chris-B. said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@W32 Realistically, is there anyone in Africa outside South Africa who would be good enough to make the Springboks?

Probably, but they would generally play for France or England. There's been a number of very good rugby players from places like Morocco (Abdelatif Benazzi for example) and lots of Nigerian origin who would qualify to play for Nigeria (Maro Itoje, Martin Offiah).

@DaGrubster said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Rennie has just said Mounga can only join the SA tour squad as injury cover. As predicted by many, a nice loop hole

Did he give a little smirk and a wink when he answered the question!?

No mate, and he actually backed it up by saying it had to be 10 who got injured ie Love ,DMac or BB of the squad at moment.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?

“In Africa”

That’s not so bad, I guess. It’s kind of like saying ‘in Europe’ when going to play France. Referring to the South African team as ‘Africa’ would simply be incorrect.

Yep it's like saying America instead of USA which a lot do. It's not right or wrong really.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?

He says while we are in Africa.

Paul Cully pushing for STT to make the touring squad. I want to see him within a NZ franchise (preferably mine) and have another barnsotming season. Ideally as a 2028 debut.

Don’t mind it.

So all eyes are now on which 10 players they add.

The balance of this remains up in there.

The leftovers last night were:

1. Bower
2. Taukei’aho
3. Tosi
4. Darry
6. Parker
8. Sititi
9. Preston
10. B Barrett
11. Fineanganofo
12. Proctor
13. Ioane
14. Carter

That’s 11 gaps for 9 spots (assuming they take the current 34 + Ioane.)

I think you can then shave off one outside back, and potentially a midfielder.

The possible add-ons: Norris, T Mafileo, G Bell, Hannah, Holland, Kirifi, Lio-Willie, Hotham… and the last one has me stumped.

If DMac is their top pick at fullback, then they may want another 10 to be in the mix for the midweek games… would this be Josh Jacomb?

I see them stacking this squad with forwards, because I don’t think they will want their forwards to backup… and they may even consider a 6-2 split I wouldn’t be surprised.

They will also presumably take cover for Codie Taylor. I think this will be Brodie McAllister

Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua

Most are expecting a 7:3 split for the extra 10 players. I think that BB will be playing 1st 5 in the midweek games, so Harkin probably makes sense as 10 cover but playing at fullback. Some test players will need to be in the reserves at least for the provincial games.

Has Rennie ruled out selecting outgoing players like Flanders?

@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Has Rennie ruled out selecting outgoing players like Flanders?

He hasn't, but presumably he would've selected them for the home Tests too to maximise the time with them.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Has Rennie ruled out selecting outgoing players like Flanders?

He hasn't, but presumably he would've selected them for the home Tests too to maximise the time with them.

My reasoning would be to pad the squad with players who can help us win midweek matches, as opposed to picking development players

It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).

I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so that’s one of the back additions.

@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split

Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaa’i on tour).

When does the tour start? Hopefully Fehi and Carter will be good after some rest

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).

I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so that’s one of the back additions.

@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split

Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaa’i on tour).

Hotham, Harkin, Ioane, Hutchinson.

Bell, Norris, Mafileo, Holland, Hannah, Barnes.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).

I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so that’s one of the back additions.

@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split

Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaa’i on tour).

Hotham, Harkin, Ioane, Hutchinson.

Bell, Norris, Mafileo, Holland, Hannah, Barnes.

Must be close to this group

@Mr-Fish will they take Fainga’anuku?

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Mr-Fish will they take Fainga’anuku?

He had a good SR. I'd expect him to go so they can work out how to use him

When the initial AB squad the following were listed. I’d imagine if any of them are fit they will go.

Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams; Scott Barrett; Fabian Holland; Leicester Fainga’anuku.

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

When the initial AB squad the following were listed. I’d imagine if any of them are fit they will go.

Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams; Scott Barrett; Fabian Holland; Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Rennie has already ruled out S Barrett and Tamaiti

Fainga'anuku was going to be out for 10-12 weeks so don't think he'll be available (otherwise he'd be there for sure).

@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua

Way too soon for Oudenryn. This would be placing him fourth in the pecking order, and with Taylor's current calf injury that would have him one injury away from playing.

Front row forwards haven't tended to be effective in test matches until 24 at the absolute youngest... his time will come - but that time is not now.

@frugby said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua

Way too soon for Oudenryn. This would be placing him fourth in the pecking order, and with Taylor's current calf injury that would have him one injury away from playing.

Front row forwards haven't tended to be effective in test matches until 24 at the absolute youngest... his time will come - but that time is not now.

Oudenryn looks a promising one for the future but haven't seen anything from him yet that confirms he's anything other than a great late game runner.

Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.

@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.

It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.

It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.

To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.

It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.

To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.

Ohhhh....ye olde dry powder eh.

@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.

It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.

To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.

Ohhhh....ye olde dry powder eh.

I mean I don't think he's holding him back as a secret weapon or anything. I just mean that he might simply be the sixth choice loose forward and was always unlikely to get minutes given the other guys needed to be tested in Rennie's system. In the same way that I don't think Barrett or Preston are failing some secret metrics, they're just not good compared to the alternatives in the squad.

My 23 for the Stormers would be:

1. Numia
2. Taukei’aho
3. Tosi
4. Darry
5. Tuipolotu
6. Parker
7. Segner
8. Lakai
9. Preston
10. Barrett
11. Fineanganofo
12. ALB
13. Proctor
14. Carter
15. Harkin
16. Aumua
17. Bower
18. Newell
19. Lord
20. Sititi
21. Ratima
22. Ioane
23. Clarke

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.

It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.

To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.

There were some comments from Rennie suggesting some players weren't there yet, i.e. hitting the targets he wanted. That might not be the case with Parker but it seemed at the time that's who he was alluding to.

@Canes4life I would expect them to go a lot stronger than that.

@ShaquilleOatmeal Preston also didn't appear to be in tip top shape in SR.

Rennie said that all players will get a game in the first two matches (Stormers, Sharks), so it could be more a mix of test and non-test players in those tour games.

The good thing is that the Bulls game is a week before the 1st test so you could play a shadow test 23 in that game.

The more fun game is to predict what the 23 for the first test will be

1. de Groot
2. Taukei'aho
3. Lomax
4. Lord
5. Holland
6. Vaa'i
7. Jacobson
8. Savea
9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Clarke
12. J Barrett
13. Tupaea
14. Jordan
15. McKenzie
16. Aumua
17. Numia
18. Newell
19. Tuipulotu
20. Segner
21. Lakai
22. Ratima
23. ALB

The biggest question mark is what they will do with the locks and loose forwards. I think if Holland can prove fitness he will be in there, and I think Vaa'i can be pencilled in at lock. Given it is at altitude I can see the 6-2 split - I am not sure these home tests have called for it, but I don't think they see Jacobson going the distance, and I think being able to take off both locks, with Tuipulotu to provide punch off the bench has real merit and I could see them going that route.

@frugby said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Canes4life I would expect them to go a lot stronger than that.

If it’s a mix of the top 23 then hard to say. I wouldn’t start Taylor though that’s for sure.