Overview
- New Zealand Rugby confirmed Noah Hotham has been added to the touring party in South Africa to cover injured halfbacks and join All Blacks training this week.
- Chiefs prop Ollie Norris has been withdrawn from the tour with a knee cartilage injury and will return to New Zealand while a replacement prop is to be named.
- The tour has seen several departures for injury, including hooker George Bell, centre Billy Proctor and winger Caleb Clarke, and other players such as Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie and Will Jordan remain under assessment.
- Hotham’s recall is notable because he was left out of the original 44-man group and has three prior All Blacks caps while playing for Tasman in the NPC this season.
- Selectors now face tight decisions on combinations and front-row cover as they finalise selections ahead of the first Test at Ellis Park, with further fitness updates likely to shape the matchday squad.