All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has unveiled a powerful 23-man squad for Friday night’s historic fixture against the DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in Cape Town (7 August 2026, 19:10 SAST).
The landmark match marks the opening fixture of New Zealand’s “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour across South Africa and represents the first-ever meeting between the All Blacks and the Stormers franchise.
Tuipulotu Captains; Barrett Returns at 10
Experienced lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain New Zealand for the second time in his career, leading a squad that mixes seasoned international veterans with emerging talent.
- Veteran Playmaker: Beauden Barrett earns his 145th appearance in the black jersey as he steps in at flyhalf, partnered in midfield by Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane.
- Potential Debutants: Uncapped prop Siale Lauaki and utility back Josh Jacomb have both been named on the bench, poised to earn their first All Blacks caps.
- Returnees: Seven players feature in their first All Blacks match of the year, including Ollie Norris, Fabian Holland, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, and Kyle Preston.
Dave Rennie Expects Physical Cape Town Battle
“We’re well aware of how good this Stormers side is… They are a big, physical side with a mix of talented youngsters and Springboks, so we are preparing for a real war of attrition.”
“We’ve had a great welcome in Cape Town and we’re excited to get this tour underway. We can’t wait for Friday.”
While New Zealand faced Western Province five times during the amateur era, Friday’s game marks the All Blacks’ first-ever encounter against the Stormers franchise, as well as their second appearance at DHL Stadium.
Official Matchday Lineups
| Position | 🇳🇿 All Blacks | 🌩️ DHL Stormers |
| 15 Fullback | Josh Moorby | Warrick Gelant |
| 14 Right Wing | Leroy Carter | Seabelo Senatla |
| 13 Outside Centre | Billy Proctor | Ruhan Nel (C) |
| 12 Inside Centre | Anton Lienert-Brown | Jonathan Roche |
| 11 Left Wing | Rieko Ioane | Leolin Zas |
| 10 Flyhalf | Beauden Barrett | Yaqeen Ahmed |
| 9 Scrumhalf | Cortez Ratima | Imad Khan |
| 8 Eighthman | Wallace Sititi | Evan Roos |
| 7 Flanker | Peter Lakai | Hacjivah Dayimani |
| 6 Flanker | Simon Parker | Deon Fourie |
| 5 Lock | Patrick Tuipulotu (C) | Connor Evans |
| 4 Lock | Fabian Holland | Adré Smith |
| 3 Tighthead Prop | Pasilio Tosi | Neethling Fouché |
| 2 Hooker | Samisoni Taukei’aho | André-Hugo Venter |
| 1 Loosehead Prop | George Bower | Vernon Matongo |
| Replacements | 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Caleb Clarke | 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane |
