Anton Segner's Rugby Championship tour of South Africa is over after the flanker underwent minor surgery to clear an infection in his ankle joint. The All Blacks confirmed he will travel to Cape Town but return home after the second test on Saturday, taking no further part in the series.
Segner had been one of the standout performers on tour, winning man of the match against the Bulls before the ankle forced him out of the first test, which the All Blacks won 33-16 in Johannesburg.
He becomes the fifth All Black to be ruled out, joining George Bell, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke and Ollie Norris on the injury list. Head coach Dave Rennie confirmed no replacement would be called into the squad.
"He had keyhole surgery just to wash out an infection, so he'll come with us to Cape Town but he won't take part in the rest of the tour," Rennie said, adding that with the franchise matches complete, the squad has enough loose forwards available across the remaining three tests.
Rennie also confirmed that prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi was a late withdrawal from the first test after developing a fever, which forced Xavier Numia into action earlier than planned.
Lock depth is the one area Rennie flagged as a potential concern, with one of the Lions match starters likely required on the bench again at DHL Newlands. The All Blacks squad travels to Cape Town on Wednesday ahead of the second test.