JOHANNESBURG — New Zealand has received a major boost ahead of its highly anticipated first Test against South Africa, with star wing Will Jordan and first-choice scrum-half Cam Roigard both cleared to start against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, August 22.
The pair had missed all three of New Zealand’s opening tour matches in South Africa while recovering from injuries. Their return gives new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie two important attacking weapons just as New Zealand prepares to face the world champions in the opening match of a four-Test series.
Jordan, New Zealand’s record Test try scorer, has been named on the right wing, while Roigard starts at scrum-half. Their inclusion represents a significant change from the All Blacks’ provincial matches, where the coaching staff had been managing their respective recoveries.
Jordan and Roigard back — and McKenzie is fit too
The All Blacks’ injury concerns have eased considerably.
Damian McKenzie, who had been an injury doubt because of an ankle problem, has also been declared fit and will start at fullback. Ruben Love will operate at fly-half.
Captain Ardie Savea returns to lead the side after being rested following New Zealand’s successful Nations Championship campaign, where the All Blacks defeated France, Italy and Ireland. Fabian Holland is the only change to the starting XV from the side that beat Ireland, replacing Patrick Tuipulotu.
One notable omission is former captain Beauden Barrett, who was left out of the match-day 23.
The All Blacks arrive with momentum
New Zealand enters the Test with considerable confidence after an impressive run of results on its South African tour.
The All Blacks defeated the Stormers 38-21, crushed the Sharks 54-0, and then produced an eight-try performance to beat the Bulls 50-19 in Pretoria. The victory over the Bulls was particularly encouraging because New Zealand dominated set pieces and the breakdown while showing improved discipline.
But the Springboks represent an entirely different level of challenge.
New Zealand captain Codie Taylor acknowledged after the Bulls match that South Africa would bring greater tempo and physicality when the Tests begin.
That warning is particularly important because South Africa has dominated the recent rivalry. The Springboks have won five of their last six meetings with New Zealand, including a record 43-10 victory in Wellington in their most recent encounter.
Why the breakdown could decide everything
South Africa has already identified one of the key battlegrounds: the breakdown.
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx said his team has spent significant time analyzing New Zealand’s breakdown work and preparing ways to limit the All Blacks’ ability to secure quick ball.
That could make Roigard’s return especially important.
A fit and fully integrated Roigard gives New Zealand another dynamic option at scrum-half and could help the All Blacks accelerate their attack when opportunities appear. Jordan, meanwhile, provides one of the most dangerous finishing threats in the New Zealand backline.
But South Africa will be looking to slow that attacking rhythm before it develops.
A rivalry entering another defining chapter
The Johannesburg Test is the first of four consecutive Saturday Tests between the All Blacks and Springboks. The series will continue in Cape Town, return to Johannesburg and conclude with a neutral-site Test in Baltimore, United States.
The stakes are enormous. South Africa enters the contest ranked No. 1 in the world, with New Zealand ranked No. 2.
For Rennie, this will be a far more revealing test of his new-look All Blacks than the provincial matches that preceded it.
For South Africa, it is an opportunity to reinforce its recent dominance.
And for New Zealand, the return of Jordan and Roigard could not have come at a more important moment.
The All Blacks finally have their key attacking pieces back. Now comes the question that matters most: can they withstand the Springboks when the intensity reaches Test-match level?
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