Sport: Cricket Country: South Africa Category: Scores & Results

All Blacks shuffle pack and drop Codie Taylor for third test

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 11:30 AM

Last updated Sep 3, 2026

All Blacks shuffle pack and drop Codie Taylor for third test

Summary

New Zealand has dropped hooker Codie Taylor and promoted Asafo Aumua for the third rugby test against South Africa this weekend at FNB Stadium. The squad changes also feature lock Sam Darry and flanker Peter Lakai joining the starting pack. Coach Dave Rennie opted to keep the backline unchanged despite a 33-26 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town last Saturday. With the four-test series currently tied 1-1, the outcome of Saturday's match will determine the series winner. Tupou Vaa'i is scheduled to earn his 50th test cap during the encounter. South Africa has responded by naming Cheslin Kolbe at fullback to replace the injured Damian Willemse, while also adding Kurt-Lee Arendse to the wing.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Asafo Aumua replaces Codie Taylor at hooker for New Zealand
•Sam Darry and Peter Lakai will start for the All Blacks
•The match takes place this weekend at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg
•Tupou Vaa'i is set to reach the milestone of 50 test matches
•Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse enter the South Africa starting lineup

Latest Updates

11:30 AMYahoo Sports — All Blacks shake up the pack for South Africa test and drop Codie Taylor

What they're saying

"
New Zealand centurion Codie Taylor was dropped and hooker Asafo Aumua promoted by the All Blacks for the third rugby test against South Africa this weekend. Lock Sam Darry and flanker Peter Lakai were also brought into the pack on Thursday. Taylor started all five tests this year with Aumua his primary backup, including the first two matches against the Springboks.
— Yahoo Sports

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