Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane has returned to the All Blacks starting XV and will wear the number 7 jersey for round 3 of the Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks this Sunday.
The last time Cane wore the number 7 jersey was when he captained the side at the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against the Springboks where they lost 12-11.
Cane’s return is one of three changes that All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made to his match-day 23 squad.
Cane comes in to replace Dalton Papali'i who has not been considered because of a thumb injury.
Captain Scott Barrett returns to lock, pushing Sam Darry to the bench.
The only other change is in the reserves, with loose forward Samipeni Finau to provide impact.
The backline remains unchanged.
The All Blacks starting XV include Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa’i, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Damien McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett.
The reserves include Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown and Mark Tele’a.
The All Blacks will take on the Springboks at 3am Sunday in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies will take on Argentina at 10am Sunday in Argentina.
