Anton Segner will play no further part in the Greatest Rivalry series after undergoing keyhole surgery on an infected ankle. All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie confirmed the procedure following New Zealand's 41-35 win over the Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday.
Segner had already missed the opening Test against the Springboks — a 33-16 All Blacks win — after being withdrawn from the bench hours before kickoff with what was initially assessed as acute inflammatory arthritis in his ankle. He has since had the joint surgically washed out to clear the infection.
Rennie says Segner will travel with the squad to Cape Town but will not be considered for selection. No replacement will be called up, with Rennie satisfied the available loose forward options are sufficient now that the midweek fixtures are done.
Tu'ungafasi was also absent from Tuesday's Lions match, ruled out by illness and replaced by Xavia Numia. Rennie confirmed the prop had been running a fever, making it unwise to play him.
Despite the mounting injury and illness concerns, Rennie expressed confidence in his squad's depth for the remainder of the tour, noting that the bulk of his 40-plus-man group are fresh heading into the Cape Town Test. He expects four or five players from Tuesday's match to back up or start on Saturday, with a full week of preparation available from the third Test onwards.
Rennie names his squad for the second Test against the Springboks on Thursday.