Dave Rennie has overhauled his All Blacks side for Saturday's encounter with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, making 19 changes from the team that demolished the Sharks in Durban and handing veteran hooker Codie Taylor his first captaincy in 110 Test appearances.
Taylor returns from injury to lead an entirely new starting XV, flanked by props Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax, both of whom are making their first appearances of the tour. The reshuffle sees Beauden Barrett restored to the matchday 23 but stripped of the number 10 jersey, instead lining up at full-back alongside Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby. Chiefs fly-half Josh Jacomb takes the playmaking reins, partnering Cortez Ratima at half-back.
Rennie acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side. "The Bulls have consistently been South Africa's best franchise side, making the United Rugby Championship Finals in four of the last five years," he said. "Loftus Versfeld is one of the most formidable rugby grounds in the world, so we are aware of the challenge in front of us and excited at what lies ahead."
Final audition before Ellis Park
The selection represents a clear delineation from the side that ran riot against the Sharks, which appeared close to Rennie's likely Test configuration. Saturday's match offers fringe players a final opportunity to press for inclusion in the matchday 23 that will face the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August. Peter Lakai, Anton Segner and Simon Parker form a new loose forward trio, while Patrick Tuipulotu and Fabian Holland take over the second row.
Only six players from the Sharks victory back up for the Bulls fixture: lock Josh Lord, loose forward Wallace Sititi, half-backs Kyle Preston and Ratima, midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai and outside back Emoni Narawa, all of whom are named among the replacements.
Rennie paid tribute to his captain. "Huge congratulations to Codie on his first All Blacks captaincy. He is a top man and has done a great job leading this tour group," he said. "This is a proud moment for an All Blacks centurion who has made a massive contribution to this team as a player and a leader."
The wholesale rotation leaves New Zealand with a delicate balancing act: maintaining momentum from two dominant tour victories whilst affording match minutes to players who may yet feature in the series opener. How Rennie's side copes with the altitude and intensity of Loftus will provide the final piece of evidence before he names his hand for the Springboks.