New Zealand continue their preparations for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against South Africa as they take on the Sharks, and a familiar face, in Durban.
The All Blacks opened their landmark tour with a scratchy performance but eventual win over the Stormers in Cape Town, and will hope to build cohesion and continuity as they continue their adventure.
They will encounter an old friend in Ma’a Nonu, with the 44-year-old centre included in the Sharks squad after signing a short-term deal with the United Rugby Championship side.
Nonu won 103 caps and two World Cups during his All Blacks career, and is set to feature off the bench against the current crop.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Sharks vs New Zealand?
The Sharks host the All Blacks at Durban’s Kings Park on Tuesday 11 August, with kick off at 6.10pm BST.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch every game from the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour live on Sky Sports, while South African viewers can tune in via SuperSport.
Team news
The Sharks are without their Springboks contingent but still have two double World Cup winners on which to call, with prop Vincent Koch joining former All Black Ma’a Nonu in the matchday 23. Vusi Moyo is at the other end of his career but the 20-year-old is highly rated, and made his South Africa debut against Wales during the Nations Championship.
Manu Tshituka starts on the blindside flank but brother Vincent was forced to withdraw from the bench after a head injury in training, while teenage talent Zekhethelo Siyaya has caught the eye in a few URC outings at full-back.
Sharks XV: 1 Nemo Roelofse, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Vincent Koch; 4 Hendre Stassen, 5 Deon Slabbert; 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Manu Tshituka, 8 Nick Hatton (capt.); 9 Bradley Davids, 10 Vusi Moyo; 11 Litelihele Bester, 12 Murray Koster, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 14 Donavan Don; 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya.
Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Matt Romao; 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu.
Dave Rennie shuffles his All Blacks side as looks to settle on his best combinations ahead of the four Tests against the Springboks. With Codie Taylor still absent, and Ardie Savea rested for this part of the tour, Luke Jacobson leads New Zealand in Durban with Wallace Sititi fit to feature after a late withdrawal from the game against the Stormers.
Billy Proctor has been ruled out of the rest of the trip with a fractured shoulder, so Quinn Tupaea and Jordie Barrett could well form the centre partnership come the Tests and start together here. Among the replacements are two new faces: hooker Bradley Slater and back rower Semisi Ta’eiloa will pull on All Blacks shirts for the first time.
New Zealand XV: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Fletcher Newell; 4 Josh Lord, 5 Sam Darry; 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 7 Luke Jacobson (capt.), 8 Wallace Sititi; 9 Kyle Preston, 10 Ruben Love; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo; 15 Damian McKenzie
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Ethan Blackadder, 20 Semisi Ta’eiloa; 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.
