All Blacks reveal strong team for the first test against the Springboks

The 23 All Blacks to tackle the Springboks in the first Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry test at Ellis Park have been revealed.

Coach Dave Rennie says it was an extremely tough team to pick.

“There’s been a lot of guys in good form, massive competition for places,” Rennie said at the team naming press conference in Johannesburg.

“Yeah, there’s a handful of spots that took a fair bit of discussion.”

Fabian Holland starts at lock, having played three games in his return from a dislocated shoulder, joined in the second row by Josh Lord.

Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry have been left out.

Rennie says it was the area that was the toughest to pick.

“The two guys we’ve chosen, with Toops (Tupou Vaa’i] at six, we’re really excited about that group,” Rennie said.

“But, you look at how good Paddy was against Ireland and Sam Darry's been excellent for us as well, so we think other guys will get their opportunities.”

The All Blacks were sweating on the fitness of Damian McKenzie, who rolled his ankle in the second tour match against the Sharks.

Rennie is confident the diminutive fullback will be good to go.

“Yeah, he did a big chunk of the training on Tuesday. He's come through really well, so yeah, we're really confident.”

McKenzie’s joined in the back three by Will Jordan, who’ll play his first match of the tour after struggling with a back niggle, and Josh Moorby, who’s form has been irresistible.

“He just makes really good decisions. He's got an excellent skill set, got a big ticker, and we get a lot of repeat efforts out of him,” Rennie said.

“But it's his ability to do the obvious that creates space for him or people around him.”

Leroy Carter was also a consideration on the left-wing for Rennie, but has been included on the bench instead alongside experienced midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and halfback Kyle Preston.

Anton Segner’s massive performance against the Bulls has been rewarded with a place in the reserves alongside fellow in-form loose-forward Peter Lakai.

Prop Xavier Numia, who was also colossal against the Bulls but left the field with calf and achilles concerns, has missed out on a place on the bench to experienced Crusaders prop George Bower.

Halfback Cam Roigard is over a calf issue that’s kept him sidelined since the win over Ireland at Eden Park.

Meanwhile, the Springboks have named an experienced and settled side captained by Pieter-Steph du Toit in the absence of injured skipper Siya Kolisi.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at first-five, while second-five Damian de Allende will become the tenth South African player to reach 100 test matches.

All Blacks: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Josh Lord, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leroy Carter

Springboks: Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Grant Williams, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Reserves: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok