Overview
- The All Blacks beat the Sharks 54-0 in Durban, producing eight tries and seven conversions from Ruben Love in a dominant second-half display on Tuesday, Aug 11, 2026.
- Try scorers included Fehi Fineanganofo (two), Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Sam Darry, and the win followed a scrappier opening tour match in Cape Town.
- Damian McKenzie left the Sharks game with a heavily strapped, painful ankle and was withdrawn as a precaution, with coaches describing the issue as being monitored ahead of the Test series.
- Centre Billy Proctor has been ruled out with a fractured shoulder blade and Richie Mo'unga has been summoned to South Africa as his replacement, increasing competition among the flyhalf options.
- Codie Taylor has been named captain for Saturday’s provincial match against the Bulls in Pretoria, which is the final warm-up before the first Test on Aug. 22 and will be treated as a live audition for Test selection.