Wellington (AFP)
Richie Mo'unga in the opening half, Beauden Barrett in the back and Sonny Bill Williams back: New Zealand will present a team largely overhauled to face Saturday South Africa during the second day (out of 3) of Rugby Championship.
The three-time defending champion had made a slow start to the competition on 20 July, winning only 20-16 in Argentina.
So instead of change: New Zealand does not want to miss the opportunity to take revenge on Springbox who had beaten last year.
The two teams will also be eager to show their best before coming back for their opening match of the Rugby World Cup in eight weeks in Japan.
"It's always exciting to play the Springboks ... because it's always a challenge," said Steve Hansen, All Blacks coach.
"One of the challenges this week will not only face the physics of the Boks, but also impose our own strength while taking our game and our skills to a higher level," he added.
Wanting to align his two best halves (Mo'unga and TJ Perenara), Hansen has made the choice to relegate Aaron Smith on the bench. Williams will team up with Jack Goodhue in the middle, while Rieko Ioane will be on the left wing.
Beauden Barrett will be in the back, a position on which he has not started a game with the Blacks since 2013.
The New Zealand team to face South Africa on Saturday in Wellington:
Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane - (o) Richie Mo'unga, (M) TJ Perenara - Kieran Read (cap), Shannon Frizell, Matt Todd - Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick - Owen Franks , Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papalii, Aaron Smith, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge.
© 2019 AFP