Overview
- Wallace Sititi acknowledged being dropped from New Zealand’s final Nations Championship Test after error‑marred displays and said he must play his best to regain a place.
- He is in Cape Town with the touring squad and will aim to impress in the opening URC fixture against the Stormers on August 7 as a direct route back into Test consideration.
- Coaches expanded the tour party to 44 players so four midweek franchise matches can be used to judge form and fitness ahead of the four Tests.
- The loose‑forward group is highly competitive, with eight players fighting for three starting slots and one or two bench roles, and senior figures such as Ardie Savea scheduled to join the tour later.
- Sititi has praised opponents such as Springbok flanker Paul de Villiers and warned the Stormers’ physical pack will test him, so strong franchise performances could change selectors’ plans for the Test series.