Skip to content

New Zealand recall Waisake Naholo for Rugby Championship clash with South Africa

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20:  Waisake Naholo of the All Blacks heads for the try line to score during the Bledisloe Cup Rugby Championship match between
Image: Waisake Naholo is back in the All Blacks side

Fiji-born winger Waisake Naholo will make his latest injury comeback among four changes to New Zealand's starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Durban.

Naholo has been sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring strain which continued an injury-hampered start to his international career.

He has played only seven Tests since suffering a broken leg on his Test debut against Argentina last July and incurred another fracture on his return to Super Rugby.

Live Rugby Championship

Naholo takes over from Julian Savea on the left wing in the only change to the All Blacks' starting backline after last weekend's 31-17 win over Argentina.

There are three changes to the forward pack where Jerome Kaino returns from a shoulder injury to claim back the No 6 jersey from Liam Squire.

Jerome Kaino lined up for New Zealand against Australia in the Rugby World Cup final
Image: Jerome Kaino has recovered from a shoulder injury

Matt Todd has been named ahead of Ardie Savea on the openside flank and Sam Whitelock returns at lock in place of Patrick Tuipulotu.

Ardie Savea drops to the replacements' bench where prop Charlie Faumuina also takes the place of Ofa Tu'ungafasi.

Also See:

Watch NOW TV
Watch NOW TV

Watch Sky Sports for just £6.99. No contract.

Centre George Moala returns from injury to claim a place in the matchday 23, displacing Damian McKenzie who made his Test debut against the Pumas.

Scrum-half Aaron Smith, who was expected to replace TJ Perenara in the starting line-up, has returned to New Zealand after he was suspended for one Test after admitting he joined a "female friend" in a public toilet last month.

The All Blacks will be chasing their 17th-straight Test win on Saturday, one off the world record of 18 consecutive wins.

Win the rugby trip of a lifetime
Win the rugby trip of a lifetime

Enter a free prize draw when you buy tickets for Argentina v Australia at Twickenham

Head coach Steve Hansen said: "We're expecting to be facing a very confident South African team after their win over Australia and a torrid battle against our traditional foe. We're expecting them to throw the kitchen sink at us."

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Matt Todd, 8 Kieran Read (c).

Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 George Moala.

You can watch England's tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price!

Around Sky