All Black Sam Cane set for first Test start since 2023 World Cup Final

Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane is set to start a Test match for the first time since last year’s heartbreaking loss in the Rugby World Cup Final. Just like that decider for the sport’s ultimate prize, Cane will wear the famed No. 7 jersey against the Springboks.

Cane became the first man to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup Final after a high shot on Jesse Kriel in the 29^th minute last October. The backrower was initially shown a yellow card under review, with the TMO later determining the incident met the red card threshold.

“It’s something unfortunately I’m going to have to live with forever,” Cane told reporters that night in Saint-Denis. Cane has since announced that he’ll retire from international rugby at the end of 2024 but the 32-year-old will get at least one more chance to play the Boks.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named Cane at openside flanker in the absence of Dalton Papali’i. The All Black told RugbyPass earlier this week that there’s “nothing personal” about playing the Springboks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park on Saturday evening.

The return of Cane is one of two changes to the First XV, and the other difference is quite significant as well. Current skipper Scott Barrett is back in the fold for the first time since New Zealand’s one-sided demolition of the Flying Fijians in San Diego last month.

Other than captain Barrett at lock and Cane at openside flanker, the rest of the forward pack appears to be of little surprise. Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax and Tupou Vaa’i join the All Blacks captain in the tight five.

Tasman Mako and Crusaders enforcer Ethan Blackadder has been named at blindside flanker for the third Test on the bounce after impressing against Argentina. Cane will man the other flank while the ever-reliable Ardie Savea is the starting No. 8.

Once again, TJ Perenara will link up with Damian McKenzie in the halves. Outside of those two, Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane will combine in the midfield as they look to make an impact by both doing some damage themselves and providing quality ball to others outside them.

Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan are the two wingers, while former two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett has been given the nod at fullback.

On the bench, Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry and Samipeni Finau will look to add impact off the pine as forward cover. As for the backs, halfback Cortez Ratima, midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and winger Mark Tele’a are the reserves.

This Saturday’s highly anticipated Rugby World Cup Final ‘rematch’ between the Springboks and All Blacks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park will kick-off at 5:00 pm local time.

All Blacks team to take on Springboks in Johannesburg

First XV

1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Ethan Blackadder
7. Sam Cane
8. Ardie Savea
9. TJ Perenara
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Will Jordan
15. Beauden Barrett

Replacements

16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Sam Darry
20. Samipeni Finau
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Mark Tele’a