All Blacks lock Fabian Holland set to play a full part in South Africa tour

A major boost for the All Blacks with Fabian Holland set to play a full part in the upcoming tour of South Africa.

The 23 year-old lock missed the entire Super Rugby season for the Highlanders after dislocating his shoulder in a pre-season match against Moana Pasifika in Queenstown.

Holland underwent surgery in mid-February and rova understands he's set to return to action for the first time in Otago’s Ranfurly Shield defence against Mid Canterbury in Alexandra on Friday the 24th of July.

His rehabilitation has gone well so far with Holland coming back fitter, faster, and stronger than before the injury.

If the towering second-rower comes through the Otago game unscathed, the plan is for him to feature in two tour matches in South Africa, most likely against the Stormers in Cape Town on August 8th and the Bulls in Pretoria eight days later, before lining up against the Springboks in the first test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 23rd.

The return of Holland will be welcome news for All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, who’s already been forced to delve deep into his locking stocks, just one test into his tenure.

Josh Lord and Sam Darry started in the first test win over France in Christchurch, as 23 year-old Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah made his All Blacks debut off the bench.

Veteran Patrick Tuipulotu pulled out before the match with a tight calf, while Tupou Vaa’i, who’s considered the best lock in the country at the moment, wasn’t available for selection due to concussion.

The All Blacks will be without former captain Scott Barrett for the tour of South Africa after he was ruled out of rugby in May for three-to-five months having undergone back surgery.

Holland burst onto the scene last year, named World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year in 2025 after playing 12 tests and becoming the first Dutch-born player to represent the All Blacks.

Listed at 2.04m tall and 124kgs, Holland is exactly the type of player the All Blacks will need to combat the likes of Springboks giants Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, and Lood de Jager during the gruelling seven-match tour.