Dave Rennie has confirmed that despite having a provisional Test squad in mind for the Ellis Park opener, performances against the Bulls at Loftus can still shift his thinking. The winger battle — opened up by Will Jordan's injury absence — and the number nine depth chart behind the injured Roigard are the two positions most in flux. Rennie opted against a 6-2 bench split for the Bulls game specifically to manage Ratima and Preston's workloads, given that one of them will need to back up into the Test squad. Ardie Savea is back in camp but won't feature at Loftus, meaning he goes into the Test series on minimal recent game time.
AnalysisGeneralPlanet Rugby
Rennie: Bulls clash still shapes All Blacks Test selection
Rennie has a Test XV in mind but says the Bulls match can still 'tilt' selection — winger depth and the Roigard backup role at nine are the key undecided positions heading into the Greatest Rivalry series.
- Vodacom Bulls
- Loftus Versfeld
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