All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga gets his first start of 2022 with tighthead prop Fletcher Newell set to make his Test debut against the Springboks on Saturday.

Mo’unga replaces Beauden Barrett, who drops to the bench, while Newell has been introduced to the match-day 23 as front-row cover, as props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have been named in the run-on side.

Veteran hooker Codie Taylor returns among the replacements while blindside flank Shannon Frizell is promoted to start in the back row alongside Ardie Savea and captain Sam Cane, who will surpass Jerome Kaino (81 Tests) at Ellis Park as the third-most-capped All Blacks loose forward in team history.

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The Boks thumped the All Blacks 26-10 in Nelspruit last week in a one-sided Rugby Championship opener where South Africa dominated New Zealand.

“Belief and confidence remain high in our group, which is working incredibly hard this week,” said head coach Ian Foster. “Playing at Ellis Park is always a special occasion for any All Black team, and this weekend will be no different.

“Adding to that, the Freedom Cup is on the line which makes this a challenge that everyone is looking forward to.”

Awarded to the winner of the perennial series between the Boks and All Blacks, the Freedom Cup was last held by South Africa in 2009.

All Blacks – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Subs: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Quinn Tupaea.

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