New Zealand forced into late change for first test against Springboks
Nick Said
New Zealand have been forced into a late change to their squad for the first test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday as loose forward Simon Parker comes onto the replacements' bench for injured flanker Anton Segner.
Segner complained of a swollen ankle, which â has been assessed as acute inflammatory arthritis, the âteam said in a statement.
Parker, 26, has played seven tests for â New Zealand âafter making his debut âin 2025.
The All Blacks face the Springboks at 1510 GMT, âthe first of four tests in the â series, the first â three âof which are in South Africa before a final game in Baltimore, United States.
New Zealand team
15-Damian McKenzie, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Josh Moorby, 10-Ruben Love, 9-Cam Roigard, 8-Ardie Savea (captain), 7-Luke â Jacobson, 6-Tupou Vaa'i, 5-Fabian Holland, 4-Josh Lord, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-George Bower, 18-Fletcher Newell, â19-Simon Parker, 20-Peter Lakai, 21-Kyle âPreston, 22-Anton Lienert-Brown, 23-Leroy Carter. - Reuters
