New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has named veteran hooker Codie Taylor as captain for the first time ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, marking the final tour fixture before the opening Test against the Springboks.
Codie Taylor Steps Up to Captain the All Blacks in Pretoria
Codie Taylor returns from a calf injury to captain the side in a welcome injury boost for the traveling squad. The 35-year-old centurion will lead the All Blacks for the first time during his milestone 110th appearance for the national team, taking over leadership responsibilities as senior players rotate ahead of the upcoming Test series.
Head coach Dave Rennie paid tribute to the veteran front-rower’s long-standing contribution to the squad. Huge congratulations to Codie on his first All Blacks captaincy,
Rennie said, describing him as a top leader who has steered the tour group effectively (according to reporting from RUCK). Taylor is joined in the starting front row by Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax.
This is also our final hit out before the first Test match against the Springboks, so it is an important game for us. There is healthy competition for Test spots so this is another opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection.
Personnel Rotation and Strategic Lineup Changes
Loose-forward Ardie Savea, wing Will Jordan, and scrum-half Cam Roigard will all sit out the Loftus Versfeld encounter, alongside fly-half Richie Mo’unga, who recently joined the squad in South Africa as an injury replacement for centre Billy Proctor.
Beauden Barrett shifts from fly-half to wear the number 15 jersey at fullback (noted by rugbyrama.fr), while Josh Jacomb steps in to direct the attack at fly-half.
The Bulls Answer With Four Springboks and Fresh Signings
Veteran fullback Willie le Roux will make his 20th career appearance against New Zealand, packing down alongside captain and former Bok loose-forward Marcell Coetzee.
Embrose Papier partners with fly-half Curwin Bosch at half-back. He is joined by flanker Hanro Liebenberg, returning following a seven-year spell with Leicester Tigers, and former Munster wing Thaakir Abrahams.
Pre-Season Realities and the Challenge at Loftus Versfeld
Ackermann offered a candid assessment of his squad’s preparation, noting that the franchise remains short on physical conditioning and contact readiness after a prolonged United Rugby Championship campaign followed by mandatory player rest periods (detailed by Timeslive). The team has completed zero full contact sessions during their pre-season block so far.
You can train all you like, that contact takes it out of you — the fall, getting up again — so we’ll be short on that sharpness,
Ackermann admitted, emphasizing that the visitors are expected to dictate the tempo whenever possession changes hands. Despite the physical deficit, the coaching staff views the fixture as an invaluable measuring stick ahead of the URC season opener.
Tour Trajectory and Upcoming Test Schedule
New Zealand enters the third fixture following consecutive victories over South African provincial sides, having defeated the Stormers 38-21 before overwhelming the Sharks 54-0 in Durban (highlighted by ladepeche.fr). Rennie’s side views the Loftus Versfeld challenge as their most demanding examination yet.
Saturday’s kickoff at Loftus Versfeld Stadium is set for 7:00pm local time, serving as the final preliminary test before the All Blacks and Springboks meet in Johannesburg on August 22 for the opening match of their four-Test series.
